The Government’s decision to charge business rates on empty properties is becoming an economic nightmare for many commercial landlords – according to the CLA, the rural economy people.
The decision means rate relief on empty business properties with a rateable value of more than £2,600 will disappear shortly and the CLA says the potential fallout is already being felt.
Now the Association is planning to take up the case with MPs and is calling for examples of people struggling to let commercial or industrial units who are likely to find themselves facing the prospect of paying rates on units they cannot let.
CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, says it’s a growing problem. Business rates have more than doubled on many properties within the last year, forcing companies out of business and leaving landlords with properties they cannot let - even at rents which are less than the cost of the business rates.
The problem is further exacerbated by the absence of decent broadband services in many rural areas making offices and industrial units located in converted farm buildings unable to compete with their urban rivals.
“It’s placing further obstacles in the path of commercial property letting and this, together with the scrapping of the rates exemption for empty premises and the small business rate relief, is going to cause serious problems for many small businesses which are working hard to trade their way out of recession.”
It will, he said, also punish the people who invest in the property which provides opportunities for small to medium-sized businesses to operate in the rural sector
“This could totally backfire and, instead of raising revenue for the Government, could force people out of business leaving a gap in the rural economic revival that the Government so clearly needs.”
The CLA in the South West is looking to gather information from anybody likely to be affected by the change in rating policy or who finds it impossible to let units because of the absence of broadband – please respond to info.southwest@cla.org.uk with the words “Business Rates” in the subject area,
“But we are also recommending that people write immediately to their constituency MPs detailing the problem – because we need to raise awareness with MPs that there are real problems facing businesses on the ground,” he said.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CLA Offers Tips on the New ‘Localised’ Planning System
1 February 2011
The Government’s Localism Bill will change the structure of the planning process and take decision making out to local communities – but there are inherent problems and steering a successful application through the new structure will require a different set of skills – according to experts at the Country Land and Business Association.
In order to explain the detail of the new regime – and to give advice to people considering planning applications – the CLA is organising a day long conference titled:” Planning to Win” at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on 15 February.
The key note speaker will be CLA Planning specialist, Fenella Collins, who says the Localism Bill will give people a far greater say in what happens within their own communities – but it will also mean they are likely to be in for a tougher time winning their application.
“Ministers claim this Bill will enable growth - but there are already conflicts emerging between developers and the localism agenda. Giving more people a greater say will offer those people the chance to say no without considering the strategic importance of an application. The Government have not resolved the issues and people need real clarification on how the Government intends to push forward a presumption in favour of sustainable development.”
She warned that the bill did not just represent a culture change for planners – but for everybody who becomes involved in the process. The Government's agenda is to give local communities the ability to determine their own future, to move away from the idea of strict planning envelopes and development limits – but the concept of sustainable communities means that businesses need to be allowed to develop in order to provide the jobs, incomes and housing opportunities that rural people aspire to.
CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said that the conference, which is sponsored by Stephens Scown & Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd, will look at the future for the planning system and how to win the hearts and minds of those who will hold the decision making powers.
“This event will look at ways of shaping the future, planning the route from where we are to where we want to be and how to win the argument – these are going to be the key issues within the planning system in the future and this seminar will explore the PR, political and sustainability issues that are likely to help people win,” he said.
The event will include presentations from lawyers, planning consultants and PR professionals and costs £20 for CLA members and £30 for non-CLA members. Places can be reserved by calling Sarah Fern on 01249 700200 or by going to www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents .
The Government’s Localism Bill will change the structure of the planning process and take decision making out to local communities – but there are inherent problems and steering a successful application through the new structure will require a different set of skills – according to experts at the Country Land and Business Association.
In order to explain the detail of the new regime – and to give advice to people considering planning applications – the CLA is organising a day long conference titled:” Planning to Win” at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on 15 February.
The key note speaker will be CLA Planning specialist, Fenella Collins, who says the Localism Bill will give people a far greater say in what happens within their own communities – but it will also mean they are likely to be in for a tougher time winning their application.
“Ministers claim this Bill will enable growth - but there are already conflicts emerging between developers and the localism agenda. Giving more people a greater say will offer those people the chance to say no without considering the strategic importance of an application. The Government have not resolved the issues and people need real clarification on how the Government intends to push forward a presumption in favour of sustainable development.”
She warned that the bill did not just represent a culture change for planners – but for everybody who becomes involved in the process. The Government's agenda is to give local communities the ability to determine their own future, to move away from the idea of strict planning envelopes and development limits – but the concept of sustainable communities means that businesses need to be allowed to develop in order to provide the jobs, incomes and housing opportunities that rural people aspire to.
CLA South West Director, John Mortimer, said that the conference, which is sponsored by Stephens Scown & Acorus Rural Property Services Ltd, will look at the future for the planning system and how to win the hearts and minds of those who will hold the decision making powers.
“This event will look at ways of shaping the future, planning the route from where we are to where we want to be and how to win the argument – these are going to be the key issues within the planning system in the future and this seminar will explore the PR, political and sustainability issues that are likely to help people win,” he said.
The event will include presentations from lawyers, planning consultants and PR professionals and costs £20 for CLA members and £30 for non-CLA members. Places can be reserved by calling Sarah Fern on 01249 700200 or by going to www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents .
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