New Right to Regenerate proposals will force councils and public sector to sell unused land and assets, enabling the public to acquire and convert vacant plots of land and derelict buildings into new homes or community spaces, under plans announced over the weekend by the housing secretary Robert Jenrick.

Right to Regenerate would make it easier to challenge councils and other public organisations to release land for redevelopment.

Under the proposals, public bodies would need to have clear plans for land in the near future, even if only a temporary use before later development.

The strengthened rights would also apply to unused publicly owned social housing and garages providing opportunities to transform the local housing stock.

The latest figures show there were over 25,000 vacant council owned homes and according to recent FOI data over 100,000 empty council-owned garages last year.

Jenrick said: “Right to Regenerate is the simple way to turn public land into public good, with land sold by default, unless there is a very compelling reason not to do so.

“We are cutting through red tape so that communities can make better use of available land and derelict buildings, which means more new homes, businesses and community assets.

“Millions of people will now be able to buy that empty property, unused garage or parcel of land and turn it into something good for them and their community.”

The consultation closes on 13 March.

Introducing the new ‘Right to Regenerate’: local people to be given a new right to take over unused council-owned buildings.

Meaning more new homes, businesses and community assets — whatever a community wants to see in their area. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/30FkUt6ca2

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) January 16, 2021