Property Week and CoStar quote Claire Fallows on the government's £5 billion 'Pride in Place' programme
Industry experts have welcomed the government’s £5bn Pride in Place programme to revive high streets, parks and public spaces but have warned ongoing viability issues could hamper progress.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the funding for 330 “overlooked” communities across the UK last week, plus powers to block “unwanted” barbers and betting and vape shops.
The plans include new community right-to-buy powers to allow locals to buy community assets such as derelict pubs. The programme will also give councils the power to block “unwanted betting shops, vape stores and fake barbers” by requiring planning applications for changes of use for those functions.
Claire Fallows, Partner and Head of Planning, comments on the plans in Property Week and CoStar. Claire explains that the proposals could give local authorities “more control over the proliferation” of those businesses. However, she warns:
These types of businesses are often filling spaces on the high street and this doesn’t resolve the underlying issue of how to attract viable new occupiers.
"As for the right to buy, if what’s actually being proposed is an extension of the existing ‘right to bid’, the main impact will be giving communities more time to raise funds and make an offer. However, unless the rules change, there’s still no guarantee that their offer will be successful.
Read the full article in Property Week here and CoStar here (subscription required).
