House of Lords Select Committee outlines future of High Streets and Town Centres Policy

Members of the Institute of Place Management and our fellow researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University have been eagerly awaiting news about new Government policy for high streets and town centres.

By Professor Cathy Parker (Chair of the Institute of Place Management and previous Research Lead for the High Streets Task Force) and Dr Michael Sewell (Place Management Research Associate, Manchester Metropolitan University)

We got some clues about the direction of travel earlier in the week from an evidence session of the House of Lords Built Environment Select Committee (08/10/2024) when key government representatives from the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government discussed the future of high streets and town centres. The session, which featured Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government) and Alex Norris MP (Minister for Democracy and Local Growth) focused on the government’s plans to revitalise these crucial urban areas amidst ongoing economic and social challenges.

Key Themes Discussed

1. Transition from previous government policies The ministers addressed the continuity and evolution of policies from the previous government. Alex Norris emphasised the need to move from multiple funding streams to a more streamlined, allocative model. This new approach aims to reduce the administrative burden on local authorities. The High Streets Task Force was mentioned with Alex Norris saying "But just as we inherited a number of different funding streams, we’ve inherited a number of different supporting architecture, and I wouldn’t want to commit to any particular element of that before we were very clear about what we were trying to do.”
2. Integration with broader growth agenda Baroness Taylor highlighted the importance of integrating high street and town centre regeneration with the broader growth agenda. She pointed out that town centre living can contribute significantly to housing and economic growth, benefiting both older and younger demographics. The health economy was also mentioned as a sector that could thrive in accessible town centre locations.
3. Local place leadership and management. The ministers also discussed how the shift towards a single pot funding model would provide greater local discretion. This approach is expected to empower local leaders to tailor solutions to their specific community needs, fostering more effective and responsive place management. There was discussion of the potential reintroduction of town centre managers as a way to drive local growth and community engagement.
4. Accountability and evaluation Ensuring proper use of public funds was a major concern. The ministers outlined plans for a robust accountability framework that balances local flexibility with central oversight. They acknowledged the challenges of measuring success across diverse high streets and emphasised the need for clear evaluation strategies.
5. Addressing vacancies and crime The discussion also covered practical measures to tackle vacant properties and associated crime. The ministers highlighted tools like High Street Rental Auctions and the Community Right to Buy, which aim to bring long-term vacant properties back into use. They also stressed the importance of addressing crime to create safer, more attractive urban environments.
6. Heritage The role of heritage in enhancing the attractiveness of town centres and high streets was underscored, alongside the role it plays in local identity. The ministers expressed a commitment to learning from heritage-led regeneration programs and integrating these insights into future policies.
7. Local government capacity and skills The ministers acknowledged the pressures on local government and the need for capacity building. They emphasised the importance of developing new skills and sharing best practices to support effective town centre management. The role of partnerships across political and sectoral boundaries was highlighted as crucial for driving the growth agenda.
8. Permitted Development Rights and Planning Policies The session touched on the impact of permitted development rights (PDR) on high streets, particularly the conversion of retail units to residential use. The ministers indicated that while PDR provides flexibility, there is a need to review its effects to prevent the hollowing out of high streets. They also mentioned ongoing consultations on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to ensure it supports vibrant town centres. The consultation closed at the end of September 2024. Approximately 10,000 responses were received. The Government is expected to produce its response to the consultation by the end of the year.

Background

This was the 13th Evidence Session of an inquiry into High streets in towns and small cities. My colleague, Dr Chloe Steadman, has led the academic team's (extensive!) contribution to this inquiry.

This inquiry was launched in February 2024 and has aimed to understand how high streets can become better equipped for the present and future. In doing so, it has so far considered how town centres can become resilient, attractive and be used in different ways by communities and businesses to help places flourish. The IPM has contributed to this inquiry through written evidence and has supported Mark Robinson Chair of the HSTF's Oral Evidence Session, providing additional evidence.

The evidence session we have summarised in this article is available to watch at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/c1e593de-510e-48c2-b7df-d7d54742ce45

Conclusion

The evidence session provided some indication of the government’s forthcoming policies for high streets and town centres. There was a lot to like. Simplified funding, alignment of policies to growth mission (which makes it easier to justify funding for practical initiatives like place management), the role of local leadership, cross-sectoral partnerships, and heritage. The need for governance and accountability. The challenges of vacancy and crime. These are all 'ripe' for national policy development and themes we have researched extensively and which our members tell us are key to making better places. We await the Budget announcement (which should be Wednesday 30th October 2024) to provide clarity on the nature and allocation of funds for specific policies and programmes.

About the author

Cathy Parker

Cathy is Professor of Retail and Marketing Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University, Co-Chair of IPM and Research Lead for the Government's High Streets Task Force.