May 31, 2011
The new Localism Bill, which is due to be implemented next year, contains provisions that may dissuade landowners, such as farmers, from enabling local communities to use their land and property for community purposes such as recreation. The Bill enables land used for community purposes to be designated a Community Asset. It will then be protected from sale by the landowner before the community has had the chance to make a bid for it. This could dissuade landowners from permitting their land to be used in this way and it is feared that it could enable certain community groups to stifle building developments in a particular area. However the Government has explained the purpose of the provisions to give communities the chance to shape the environment that they live in and to make better use of farmland. The Localism Bill was published at the end of last year and contains a raft of provisions designed to amend planning and housing law and devolve powers from central government to local communities and local organisations and authorities.