The Queen’s Speech has confirmed that the government will be introducing a Levelling Up and Regeneration bill that will include planning reform.
Prince Charles, delivering the speech on behalf of the Queen, said: “A bill will be brought forward to drive local growth, empowering local leaders to regenerate their areas and ensuring everyone can share in the United Kingdom’s success. The planning system will be reformed to give residents more involvement in local development.”
It is thought that the bill will give councils new planning powers, including being able to force landlords in England to let out empty shops to rejuvenate high streets.
“High streets up and down the country have long been blighted by derelict shopfronts, because they have been neglected, stripping opportunity from local areas,” said prime minister Boris Johnson.
“We are putting that right by placing power back in the hands of local leaders and the community so our towns can be rejuvenated, levelling up opportunity and restoring neighbourhood pride.”
Councils will also be given greater powers to drive regeneration through compulsory purchase orders, which will allow them to acquire buildings for public benefit without needing the consent of the owner.
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