New settlements provide a huge opportunity to govern communities differently - with residents in command of what happens locally.

The conversation between people who will live in the new settlements and those involved in building them should start well before the first brick is laid.

Communities where many residents have strong social links with others living nearby and where people are more likely to get involved in community orientated activities tend to be places with higher levels of resident wellbeing.

Planning for the long term management or ‘stewardship' of an area has been found to contribute significantly to the popularity and success of new communities in the past.

Transferring assets, such as community centres or parks to local people can give communities a greater opportunity to shape the way these assets are run to ensure that they provide the maximum benefit to local people.

The quality of the local environment is a key element in what makes somewhere a good place to live.

Meeting the UK's ambitious targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 will require some radical changes to the way we live.

New developments should provide communities with homes that are comfortable and well matched to their needs, and a public realm that is safe and inviting.

Economic sustainability is a key ingredient of the overall sustainability of communities.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the new agency established to take over the functions of English Partnerships, the investment side of the Housing Corporation, some delivery functions of Communities and Local Government department and the Academy for Sustainable Communities.