Government property finder
On 20 August 2014, the Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) within the Cabinet Office launched a new Government Property Finder which enables people to search the government’s property portfolio.
This is seen as a part of the government’s Right to Contest initiative which allows businesses, local authorities and members of the public, to challenge the government to sell a site where they think it is not being used effectively. Cases are only rejected if government departments can demonstrate that the site is vital for operational purposes or that alternative considerations outweigh the potential for better economic use. This extended a previous right, the Community Right to Reclaim Land which allows communities the right to ask that under-used or unused land owned by public bodies is brought back into beneficial use.
The Right to Contest is intended to facilitate development of publicly-owned sites to boost local growth and to contribute to paying down the deficit.
The Government Property Finder is described as an ‘…easy-to-use tool that maps government property and land … For the first time ever, you can search the government’s property portfolio listing everything from ambulance stations to vacant airfields’, suggesting that it ‘…supports the government’s aims to increase transparency, save money and support regeneration and growth.’
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, said ‘As part of our long-term plan for a stronger economy we are slashing our own costs and getting the most out the property we own. Since the 2010 general election we have got out of 1,250 properties, but we need to do more. We want the public to use this new map and the Right to Contest to challenge us to release properties we are not using efficiently enough to cut the deficit, support growth and provide more houses.’
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Community Right to Reclaim Land.
- Efficiency and Reform Group.
- Green belt.
- Localism act.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Related articles
- Right to Contest.
- Self-build initiative.
- The compact sustainable city.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.