The Government should develop a £10bn ‘national regeneration strategy’ to help boost towns and cities across the North and Midlands, a new study says.
The recommendation has been made by the Great Places Commission, which was launched last year by the National Housing Federation.
The report urged the Government to give local authorities a sustainable future funding settlement that would help them rebuild their capacity and skills, allowing them to lead placemaking.
Mandatory good design standards for all new developments should also be introduced, according to the report, along with a national private landlord register to support councils in their efforts to tackle rogue landlords.
The Great Places Commission’s report also called on housing associations to review their policies on property sales, transfers and procurement to ensure the best outcomes for communities.
‘For too long, regeneration hasn’t been given the attention that it deserves. But now, we’re seeing a change – there is a growing cross-party consensus that something has to be done,’ said Katie Teasdale, head of member relations at the National Housing Federation.
‘This report sets out the ambitious ideas that the Great Places Commissioners have been developing over the last year.
‘First and foremost, the Government needs to invest in regeneration to start bringing the country back together and support communities to thrive.
‘Housing associations, local government and other community anchors already do a lot of the things the commissioners recommend, and we’re keen to help them build on that.
‘Now, we want to make the case for this much-needed Government investment in regeneration to bring the country back together, as well as supporting housing associations and their partners to expand their existing work.’
