LAND AND NEW HOMES


Localism, localism, localism


Gabriel Abulafia discusses the Decentralisation and Localism Bill and the opportunities for the housing market.


T


he Decentralisation and Localism Bill is one of the most hotly awaited pieces of legislation this year, at least amongst the development and


property sector, and for that matter, amongst local government too. Yet will this piece of legislation turn out to be the threat that many had feared six months ago or will there be a collective sigh of relief from within the industry as the realisation sets in


that Localism has to potential to unlock a significant number of opportunities? As we go to press, no confirmed date has


been given for the announcement of the draft Bill, however, we have it on good authority that it will be before the end of the year, broadly on target as predicted back in June when it was first announced in the Queen’s Speech. In fact it has to be, given that it is the ‘jewel in the crown’ for Eric Pickles’ policy agenda and, to


misquote an old saying, ‘beware of a determined Yorkshireman in a hurry’. From this we can conclude that the Bill


will be light, not of course in the sense of being lightweight, but light in the sense that it should not become so unwieldy as to become bogged down as it passes through the legislature en route to the statute book. However, before we go on to analyse the implications of the Bill we need to consider


Localism is a fusion of core values of the LibDems and


Cameron’s Big Society


24 JANUARY 2011 PROPERTYdrum


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