New enforcement measures to tackle empty shops and improve high streets will be trialled in two County Durham towns, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Vacant units could be brought back into use through high street rental auctions (HSRA) in Bishop Auckland and Stanley as part of town centre improvement plans. Properties vacant for more than a year could be subject to an auction if the landlord has not taken sufficient steps to let their premises.
Bishop Auckland and Stanley were chosen due to having the largest increase in vacancy rates in County Durham over 12 months.
Durham County Council cabinet members are set to agree on launching a public survey on the new scheme.
Other council powers to tackle vacant buildings include compulsory purchase orders, demolition, or enforcement notices. Support from the local authority includes providing building owners with grants, interest-free loans, and training for new retail and hospitality businesses.
Currently, vacant shops are addressed through a five-step plan: identification, establishment, engagement, education, encouragement, and enforcement. This five-step process allows the council to work with landlords to address barriers in bringing the building or land back into use.
In Bishop Auckland and Stanley, the auction scheme would only be implemented when this process has failed.
Councillor Karen Allison, cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “We are committed to supporting businesses and revitalising high streets across the county, and we will do everything we can to work proactively with landlords to achieve this.
“However, HRSA powers offer us a further enforcement route to speed up the recovery of town centres when dealing with difficult landlords. Combined with the wide range of other schemes, initiatives and enforcement options at our disposal, we now have more tools than ever before to bring high streets to the standard our residents expect.”
High street areas where the scheme can be used must be designated and undertake a 28-day minimum community engagement period.
A public consultation is scheduled to take place from October 22 to November 19. Once the designation is applied, the HSRA will last approximately 26 to 28 weeks from the initial four-week community engagement period to the auction and letting period.
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
