Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Town Centre Regeneration

Monday 16 May 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Regenerating high streets and town centres is essential to the Government's commitment to levelling up the country.
  • The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill includes measures to tackle vacant properties, improve compulsory purchase powers, and make temporary pavement licensing permanent.
  • Stoke is seen as an example of how regeneration efforts can power ahead with the help of government measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Griffiths
Economy Housing Local Government
Context

The MP seeks to understand the steps being taken by the government for town and high street regeneration.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help support the regeneration of towns and high streets?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

Regenerating our high streets and town centres is essential to the Government's commitment to levelling up the country. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill includes measures to tackle vacant properties, improve compulsory purchase powers and make temporary pavement licensing permanent. It builds on the comprehensive funding package already announced, including the £3.6 billion towns and future high streets funds, the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund and the recently launched £2.6 billion shared prosperity fund.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Housing Local Government
Context

The MP acknowledges the government's efforts but seeks more specific measures to incentivise property owners to bring derelict spaces back into use and make it easier to use enforcement powers.

Question

What more are the Government doing both to incentivise property owners to bring derelict spaces back into use and to make it easier to use enforcement powers where owners prove unwilling to do so?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

My hon. Friend is completely correct. It was a pleasure to join the Cabinet meeting in Stoke last week and talk about how we drive forward regeneration there. Stoke is really powering ahead, and the measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill—particularly those to reform compulsory purchase orders and crack down on empty shops—will help things go even faster. That is in addition to the specialised support that Stoke-on-Trent is receiving through the high streets task force. I have also set up a meeting next month with all the infrastructure and regeneration bodies across Government to plan how we can build on Stoke's three levelling-up fund successes.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Kate Griffiths
Economy Transport Local Government
Context

The MP inquires about the Burton town deal board's efforts to submit a plan for regeneration, seeking information on the government's thoughts and approval timeline.

Question

Can my hon. Friend offer any thoughts on Burton's plans, and can he give an indication of when approval might be granted so that we can crack on with levelling up in our area?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

I praise the proactive approach that East Staffordshire Borough Council has taken, which includes working cross-party to build consensus. Its plans for the riverside regeneration in particular will be absolutely transformative. The business case documents are currently being reviewed by officials, and I hope to be able to sign those off shortly so that the projects can get under way.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Housing
Context

The MP requests the establishment of a levelling-down fund to demolish old, undesirable structures in town centres.

Question

Will the Minister please put in place a levelling-down fund that will allow us to destroy some buildings, such as the bingo hall in Hannah Street in Porth?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

At the same time as making an amusing point, the hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. The powers for compulsory purchase will help to unlock sites, including sites that the hon. Gentleman mentions which need fundamental change. The funding schemes we have put in place—the shared prosperity fund and so on—will help put financial firepower behind those regeneration schemes, too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Levelling-down fund establishment request

How: Compulsory Purchase Orders, Regeneration Schemes

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Emma Hardy Lab Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
Economy Employment
Context

The MP proposes the use of remote work spaces to repurpose old retail units for new employment opportunities, inviting government members to an event on this topic.

Question

Would the Minister, and indeed any Member across the House, like to come to my Work Hull: Work Happy event on 23 June at 11 am to find out more about the benefits of remote working for productivity and opportunity?

Answer from Neil O'Brien

It sounds extremely interesting, and I would be very interested in coming along. The hon. Lady is completely correct that remote working is potentially a really powerful driver for levelling up, and some of the measures in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, such as repurposing shops through the high street rental auction scheme, can potentially be really transformative for our high streets.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email