The Government has launched a long-term plan to support the evolution and regeneration of high streets.
The high streets strategy is a key part of the Prime Minister’s plan to level up and will deliver visible changes to local areas and communities across England, transforming derelict buildings, cleaning up our streets, and supporting a renewed sense of community for current and future generations.
Councils in England will be given the power to transform towns, taking over derelict buildings through compulsory purchase orders so they can be converted into new homes if property owners stall on regeneration plans. Councils will also be encouraged to use existing powers to convert empty offices into housing, and empty shops will be transformed into entertainment venues or thriving new businesses without the need for planning permission.
Local economies and plans for growth will be boosted with 15 Town Deals totalling £335 million confirmed today. The Town Deals will fund community regeneration projects including repurposing empty shops on high streets, creating new public spaces, transforming a riverfront area into a community hub with entertainment and leisure venues, and creating a new digital enterprise and learning centre. Town Deals have now been offered to all 101 places that were invited to develop proposals.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “As we build back better from the pandemic, we are transforming our high streets across the UK into the kind of vibrant places we will want to visit, work and call home for generations to come.
“This strategy sets out a vision for entrepreneurship to thrive, where local shops and businesses are supported with permanent al fresco dining, derelict eyesores transformed into quality homes and new hubs for business and entertainment encouraged.
“With more funding for town centres and powers for communities to take a stake in their local area, we are delivering on our commitments to level up and put power in the hands of local people. I look forward to seeing what local communities have in store for national celebrations such as Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year – a remarkable occasion that we will mark in style.”
A sense of community is at the heart of the strategy, ensuring local areas are protected for current and future generations to enjoy, said the Government.
New funding will be committed for ‘mini-Holland’ schemes across England to embed greener forms of transport, encouraging cycling and walking by installing segregated cycle lanes on main roads, expanding space for pedestrians and creating low-traffic neighbourhoods. Funding will be drawn from the £2 billion fund for cycling and walking announced by the Transport Secretary in May 2020.
The government will tackle graffiti and litter across town centres. A new taskforce will work to eradicate chewing gum from the streets, with gum producers investing £10 million over the next 5 years to help fund councils to clean up gum from the streets and support schemes to prevent people from littering in the first place.
Councils will be encouraged to take a more hands-on approach to cleaning up gzraffiti, supported by £2 million in funding. New guidance for councils in England to manage graffiti will be published giving examples of good practice, drawing on the latest research and professional expertise and highlighting the importance of keeping high-streets clean and clear of graffiti. A UK wide, annual National High Streets Day will be launched to ensure cleaner streets that communities can truly be proud of, involving the whole community.
Government funding will be available to save local venues loved by a community. Details have been published setting out how community groups across the UK can bid for up to £250,000 in matched funding from the £150 million Community Ownership Fund to take over local pubs, theatres, shops and sports grounds at risk of closure.
In some cases up to £1 million will be available to establish sports clubs or help to buy sports grounds at risk without community intervention, preserving local treasures for the next generation and supporting grass roots, community led schemes.
Hospitality will also be given a boost with the streamlined pavement licensing system extended for 12 months across England so more shops, cafes and restaurants can make use of outdoor areas, with an intention to make this permanent.
The government will work to bring back street parties, making it easier for people to hold celebrations in their neighbourhood streets and picnics during national celebrations like the Commonwealth Games. Councils will be invited to plan exciting events for Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, making their civic locations available so communities across the UK can come together.
Today’s announcement follows major investment and action from government to level up opportunity and prosperity across all areas of the country, including through the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, the £220 million UK-wide Community Renewal Fund and the £830 million Future High Streets Fund.
This builds on significant flexibilities already made in the planning system, so that empty offices and shops can be converted into housing, and retail businesses can change use without needing planning permission.
The government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations, local authorities and partners across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as the strategy is implemented.
