What can local authorities do to revive their high streets?

At 10.45am on Tuesday 26 March 2024, the House of Lords Built Environment Committee, as part of its inquiry on high streets in towns and small cities, will be hearing evidence from:

• Councillor Vikki Slade, Vice Chair of the Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board at the Local Government Association, and Leader of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
• Councillor Susan Brown, Vice Chair of the District Councils Network and Leader of Oxford City Council.

This session, which is open to the public, will be held in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords and streamed live and on demand on Parliament TV.

Topics that will be covered during this session will include:

• The role of local government in regenerating high streets.
• Existing powers local government have to effect change.
• The experience of local authorities in navigating the Government’s range of programmes aimed at supporting high streets and town centres.
• Impacts of the changes to permitted development rights and the introduction of use class E on high streets.
• What local authorities are doing to improve transport links for people to get to and from high streets more easily.

More on this inquiry

The Built Environment Committee’s ‘High streets in towns and small cities’ inquiry is exploring how high streets can be regenerated and become more resilient and attractive. The inquiry will consider the different uses of high streets by various communities and businesses and what is essential for them to flourish economically and socially.

This inquiry has its own web page. The committee’s work can be followed on its website and via X (Twitter).