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New ‘housing action zones’ to help regenerate “neglected” seaside towns should be piloted by the government, a parliamentary report has urged.
The Future of Seaside Towns report, published by the Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities Committee today, said the zones should be part of a “comprehensive package of measures to support housing regeneration in coastal areas”.
A committee spokesperson told Inside Housing that the zones could include extra funding to convert and regenerate buildings, review the impact of Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates on the local market and strengthen measures to boost housing quality.
As part of the inquiry, Blackpool Council called for the development of a housing action zone in the town.
This would include pumping £100m in to “leverage” council, housing association and private investment in new homes. The authority also urged new laws to change the LHA system to ensure there is a “firm link between housing subsidy” and the “quality of housing paid for by that subsidy”.
The report said “sub-standard” housing is a major problem for many struggling seaside towns, acting as a blight on areas and deterring redevelopment plans.
A prevalence of “poorly managed” houses in multiple occupation (HMO) in coastal areas particularly “exacerbated” problems and are a barrier to regeneration, the report said.
Among the recommendations, peers called for:
Lord Bassam of Brighton, chair of the Regenerating Seaside Towns and Communities Committee, said a “single solution” does not exist to tackle the problems faced by coastal towns.
But he added: “What is needed is a package of strategic initiatives and interventions where national and local government work together to address issues such as transport, housing, post-school education and high-speed broadband.”
He also flagged that the impact of Brexit on coastal towns remained an “open question”.
In a response, coastal communities minister Jake Berry said: “Our recent £36m of investment in coastal communities and £1.6bn Stronger Towns Fund demonstrates how we are supporting everyone to prosper and thrive.
“We are determined to boost economic growth, improve tourism and create jobs in our seaside towns and throughout the UK.”
Coastal Communities Minister @jakeberry responds to the @UKHouseofLords committee report on regenerating our seaside towns. #GreatBritishCoast pic.twitter.com/ERh8QcknZz
The government has two months to formally respond to the report.