Britain's biggest cities could accommodate more than one million additional homes around inner-city railway stations, according to new research. This potential could be realised if housing densities matched those in comparable cities overseas.
Analysis from the Centre for Cities estimates that the UK's 12 largest cities have capacity for approximately 1.2 million more homes near stations, compared with equivalent urban areas in France and Japan. London accounts for the largest potential increase, with an estimated shortfall of over 500,000 homes around stations. Glasgow could potentially accommodate another 183,000 homes, while Manchester has capacity for around 134,000.
The research found that, unlike many comparable G7 cities, housing density in Britain does not consistently increase around railway stations. In Sheffield and Liverpool, average housing densities are actually lower near stations than they are further away. Development rates have also lagged international counterparts, with Britain's major cities building less than half the number of homes around train and tram stations compared to French and Japanese cities between 2011 and 2021.
The Centre for Cities argues that increasing development around existing transport infrastructure could significantly contribute to addressing Britain's housing shortage. Their analysis suggests that closing the density gap around urban stations alone could reduce the country's housing shortage by approximately 25%.
The think tank is calling for greater control over railway land to be transferred to metro mayors to accelerate housing delivery. They recommend creating a fast-track mechanism for transferring suitable land around stations from Network Rail to mayoral combined authorities, and greater use of Mayoral Development Corporations and Orders to oversee and accelerate regeneration projects.