Legislative agenda in Queen’s Speech nothing more than a ‘gimmick’, says BPF

The British Property Federation has attacked a key plank of the government’s legislative agenda as a “gimmick” that will do more harm than good.  Responding to the inclusion of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill in the Queen’s Speech earlier today, BPF chief executive Melanie Leech took aim at plans to force landlords to let empty properties. “Political gimmicks such as compulsory rent auctions are not the solution, and will deter – rather than encourage – investment into the areas where it is most needed,” she said. Under the proposals, landlords will be forced to let out shops that have been vacant for more than six months. But the pursuit of the policy was more about winning votes than driving local growth and revitalising town centres, she said.   “No property owner wants their premises to be empty. In our experience, property owners are willing to do zero-rent deals to avoid boarded-up shopfronts.”  If the government wishes to help small and independent businesses to trade from town centre premises “the burden of business rates and other occupational costs” needs to be brought down, she added.  Without that, the levelling-up agenda risks being a missed opportunity. “This is the moment for a system change in how we approach town centre regeneration,” said Leech. “This means fundamental reform of the business rates system and more creative and sustainable solutions, such as the BPF’s proposal for town centre investment zones which would accelerate regeneration through a combination of tax and community incentives, planning freedoms and public-private partnerships.”  She added that proposed changes to the planning system were welcome and necessary.  “The planning system sits right at the heart of the government’s levelling-up ambitions and it is vital there is the necessary framework, support and investment to ensure it is fit for this purpose. The digitisation of the system is long overdue, and we must harness digital platforms to engage ‘the silent majority’, including younger generations, in shaping our towns and cities for the future.” She also cautioned against over-simplifying system, especially when it comes to developer contributions. “The aim of simplifying the planning system by introducing a standard infrastructure levy is a laudable one,” Leech said. “However, the government should be aware that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work across all areas of the UK and risks turning off investment in the areas where regeneration is most needed.” She urged the government to engage with the industry – “a key partner in levelling up” – to develop the detail of the new levy and to adopt a pilot approach. This, she said, would “make sure that it works in practice and not just on paper, to support the delivery of homes and sustainable communities across the country.” To send feedback, e-mail piers.wehner@eg.co.uk or tweet @PiersWehner or @EGPropertyNews Image © Alastair Grant/AP/Shutterstock