Community rights
The coalition agreement published on 20 May 2010 outlined plans to promote devolution and reform the planning system to give communities greater powers to shape local developments and local services.
A range of ‘community rights’ were subsequently enshrined in law by the Localism Act which was given Royal Assent on 15 November 2011. These rights are support by:
- The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations.
- The Community Right to Challenge (Fire and Rescue Authorities and Rejection of Expressions of Interest) (England) Regulations 2012.
- The Community Right to Challenge (Expressions of Interest and Excluded Services) (England) Regulations 2012.
- The Assets of Community Value Regulations.
Community rights include:
- The Community Right to Bid, which came into effect on 21 September 2012. This gives community groups the right to prepare and bid to buy community buildings and facilities that are important to them.
- The Community Right to Challenge, which It came into force on 27 June 2012. This allows voluntary and community groups, charities, parish councils and local authority staff to bid to run a local authority service where they believe they can do so differently to and better than the existing service. This may be the whole service or part of a service.
- The Community Right to Build which came into force on 6 April 2012. This allows local communities to propose small-scale, site-specific, community-led developments.
- The Community Right to Reclaim Land. This helps communities improve their local area by giving them the right to ask that under-used or unused land owned by public bodies is brought back into beneficial use.
- The Right to Contest, which came into force on 8 January 2014. For land and property held by government departments and the majority of their arm’s length bodies a request can be made under the Right to Contest to release it for better economic use. Unlike the Community Right to Reclaim Land, which covers previously unused or underused land, the Right to Contest can be used to argue that land currently in use could be put to better economic purpose.
- New neighbourhood planning measures, which came into force on 6 April 2012. These allow communities to shape new development by coming together to prepare neighbourhood plans.
- The Our Place programme (formerly ‘neighbourhood community budgets’), which gives communities the opportunity to take control of dealing with local issues in their area.
- Community shares initiative.
- Tenant empowerment programme.
- The Right to Transfer. Giving local authority tenants the right to initiate a transfer to a new private-registered provider of social housing.
- Right to regenerate. Giving people the right to buy underused properties from public bodies.
In March 2016, the government published an interactive map showing:
- Listed assets of community value.
- Designated neighbourhood planning areas.
- Our Place projects.
- Community shares projects.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Asset of community value.
- Community.
- Community group.
- Community liaison officer.
- Community right to bid.
- Community right to build.
- Community right to challenge.
- Community right to reclaim land.
- Community shares.
- Localism act.
- National planning policy framework.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Nimbyism.
- Our place.
- Right to contest.
- Right to regenerate.
- Right to transfer.
- Tenant empowerment programme.
Featured articles and news
Latest Build UK Building Safety Regime explainer published
Key elements in one short, now updated document.
UKGBC launch the UK Climate Resilience Roadmap
First guidance of its kind on direct climate impacts for the built environment and how it can adapt.
CLC Health, Safety and Wellbeing Strategy 2025
Launched by the Minister for Industry to look at fatalities on site, improving mental health and other issues.
One of the most impressive Victorian architects. Book review.
Common Assessment Standard now with building safety
New CAS update now includes mandatory building safety questions.
RTPI leader to become new CIOB Chief Executive Officer
Dr Victoria Hills MRTPI, FICE to take over after Caroline Gumble’s departure.
Social and affordable housing, a long term plan for delivery
The “Delivering a Decade of Renewal for Social and Affordable Housing” strategy sets out future path.
A change to adoptive architecture
Effects of global weather warming on architectural detailing, material choice and human interaction.
The proposed publicly owned and backed subsidiary of Homes England, to facilitate new homes.
How big is the problem and what can we do to mitigate the effects?
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
A number of cool guides to help with the heat.
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.