Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to give local authorities the power to (a) take over or (b) mandate owners to develop, sell or clear blight and derelict sites suitable for commercial or residential development.

Local authorities already have a range of compulsory purchase powers to acquire and develop land that is derelict, neglected or unsightly provided there is a compelling case in the public interest for the authority's redevelopment scheme.

In addition other powers available to a local authority to act include section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to serve a notice requiring owners to clean up land and buildings where their condition adversely affects the amenity of the area; Section 79 – 81 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to serve an abatement notice to carry out works on any premises where its condition is such as to be prejudicial to health, or, amounts to a nuisance; Section 29 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to secure any unoccupied building against unauthorised entry and undertake works to prevent it becoming a danger to public health; and Section 76 of the Building Act 1984 to require property owners to remedy defective buildings that are in such a condition as to be prejudicial to health or amount to a nuisance.

There are no other powers to require owners to sell or develop their land.