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<p>Local authorities have a range of powers to tackle derelict and abandoned land
and buildings including:<br><br>- section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act
1990 –which enables local authorities to serve a notice requiring owners to clean
up land and buildings where their condition adversely affects the amenity of the area.
Local authorities can also take direct action and recover the costs.<br><br>- section
1 of the Localism Act 2011 – we encourage local councils, including eligible parish
councils, to consider the general power of competence in the Localism Act 2011. This
removes the need to establish new narrow powers in response to particular issues.
Local authorities have the power to act innovatively for their local communities and
they can use the power without constantly looking back to Whitehall for permission.<br><br>-
compulsory purchase powers – as a last resort, local authorities have a range of powers
to acquire land for different purposes provided there is a compelling case in the
public interest.</p><p> </p><p>In February we amended the Community Infrastructure
Levy to make it fairer and more flexible, including specific measures to encourage
brownfield development. We also consulted on removing section 106 affordable housing
contributions for small sites, as well as applying a similar exemption to vacant buildings
brought back into use. The Government will publish a response to the consultation
shortly.</p><p> </p><p>We have exempted empty new builds from empty property rates
for up to 18 months up to state aid limits. Also, our £1 billion package of business
rates measures for 2014-15 included a £1,000 discount for shops, pubs and restaurants
with rateable values below £50,000 for 2 years and a new re-occupation relief which
cuts business rates by half for 18 months for businesses taking on a long-term empty
retail property.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has also made a number of deregulatory
reforms to the planning system that encourage the re-use of existing, under-utilised
buildings and building space. For example, there are permitted development rights
that allow redundant space above shops to change to residential use as well as rights
that allow offices to change to residential use. These, along with other change of
use permitted development rights are making more productive use of our building stock
and bringing forward much needed new homes.</p>
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