I’m sure we have all commented at some time ‘’What are they going to do with that?’’ or ‘’Look at that eyesore…about time the council did something with it.’’
Today the government has
announced a major step forward to provide the public with an opportunity to buy
derelict, unused buildings and land plots currently owned by local authorities
or other public sector organisations.
Do you know of any derelict buildings or land plots owned by a local authority or other public sector organisation?
Well now you can do
something about it. You could also buy it if you wanted. A group or charity
organisation could claim the right to buy it.
HOW?
New Right to Regenerate will
enable the public to require councils and public sector organisations to sell
unused land and assets
Proposals for the public to
have first right of refusal to purchase underused land in England
Land to be sold by default,
unless compelling reason not to
Making it simpler, quicker
and easier for public to transform vacant land and derelict buildings into
homes, businesses or community spaces
This is a very bold step by
the government and I’m sure many local authorities will find it challenging.
The public will be able to
convert vacant plots of land and derelict buildings into new homes or community
spaces, under plans announced today (16 January 2021) by the Housing Secretary,
Robert Jenrick MP.
The ‘Right to Regenerate’
proposals would make it easier to challenge councils and other public
organisations to release land for redevelopment – helping communities make
better use of public land and give a new lease of life to unloved buildings.
Underused public land could
be sold to individuals or communities by default, unless there is a compelling
reason the owner should hold onto it.
Under the proposals, public
bodies would need to have clear plans for land in the near future, even if only
a temporary use before later development – if the land is kept for too long
without being used, they would be required to sell it.
These measures provide an
opportunity for the public and local communities to redevelop and transform
eyesores, taking control of unused local land or buildings and transforming
them into something they want in their area.
This builds on the
government’s drive to encourage development on brownfield land and more
beautiful buildings that are in line with local preferences.
The strengthened rights
would also apply to unused publicly owned social housing and garages providing
opportunities to transform the local housing stock.
The latest figures show
there were over 25,000 vacant council owned homes and according to recent FOI
data over 100,000 empty council-owned garages last year.
The new process will be fast
and simple, and the Secretary of State will act as an arbiter to ensure
fairness and speedy outcomes in all cases.
Housing Secretary Rt Hon
Robert Jenrick MP said:
Right to Regenerate is the simple way to turn public land
into public good, with land sold by default, unless there is a very compelling
reason not to do so.
We are cutting through red tape so that communities can
make better use of available land and derelict buildings, which means more new
homes, businesses and community assets.
Millions of people will now be able to buy that empty
property, unused garage or parcel of land and turn it into something good for
them and their community.
Tom Chance, Chief Executive
of the National Community Land Trust Network, said:
We welcome these plans that could help communities to
turn abandoned and neglected land and buildings into fantastic community
assets.
There are hundreds of community land trusts across the
country wanting to build much needed affordable housing, but getting hold of
land at an affordable price is a huge barrier.
The potential for communities to be given first right of
refusal could be a game changer. We encourage everyone to read through the
proposals and respond to the consultation.
The ‘Right to Regenerate’ is
a great-step forward to build on previous attempts at doing this and it will
increase the chance for communities to come together to bring vacant land into
the heart of the community.
In practice this could mean
if a member of the public had an unused plot of land at the back of their house
owned by the council, they could use the new Right to Regenerate.
If the land was determined
to be underused with no plans to bring it into use, it would be sold and the
person making the request could have first right of refusal to purchase –
enabling them to extend their garden, or for the community to come together to
use the land in a beneficial way.
See further information
here:
Thanks for reading
The Good Estate Agent - North Nottinghamshire.
I help sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants.
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