Government details long-term plan for high street evolution

The government’s long-term plan to support the evolution and regeneration of high streets has been launched.

A key part of the Prime Minister’s plan to level up, the high streets strategy seeks to 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.

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.”

The government has also confirmed 15 Town Deals totalling £335 million.  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.

New funding will also 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.

Councils will be encouraged to take a more hands-on approach to cleaning up graffiti, 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.