Welsh communities are the least empowered in Britain to protect land and assets, a new report has warned today.
Research by the Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA) found community groups face a 'long and arduous process' to gain access to land or assets compared to those in England and Scotland.
The report makes five recommendations to level the playing field and prevent the further loss of community assets.
Amongst these are the creation of a Community Empowerment Bill that provides a register of community assets and gives communities a statutory first right of refusal over these assets when they are proposed for sale or transfer.
It also calls for a well-financed Community Asset Fund and a coordinated support package to support communities that are seeking to buy or lease land or assets and
A poll found the majority of the public backed the proposals in the report.
Auriol Miller, director of the IWA said: ‘We are pleased to see such strong support from the Welsh public for our new recommendations.
'We’ve seen examples of community ownership giving derelict buildings new leases of life, generating renewable energy under local ownership, and tackling the second homes crisis through community-led housing.'
