Explanatory note

These Regulations are made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8) and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55) (“the 2023 Act”). They set out the process to be followed when a local authority exercises the powers given to it in Part 10 of the 2023 Act to arrange for a rental auction to be carried out in respect of qualifying high-street premises. They also amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/596) (“the General Permitted Development Order”) to provide for temporary planning permission for a change of use of such premises to a suitable high-street use for the duration of a tenancy granted following a rental auction held under Part 10 of the 2023 Act.

Part 2 of the Regulations make provision for rental auctions. Regulation 3 requires local authorities to consult on any proposal to designate a high street or a town centre for the purposes of section 191 of the 2023 Act, or to vary or withdraw an existing designation. Regulation 4 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Regulations set out the forms to be used for initial letting notices, final letting notices and counter-notices served under sections 195, 198 and 201 respectively of the 2023 Act.

Regulation 5 requires the local authority to carry out a survey of premises before arranging a rental auction in relation to those premises. Regulations 6 to 10 and Schedules 2 and 3 to the Regulations set out the steps which must be taken by the local authority and by the landlord of the premises concerned in weeks one to ten of the auction period, and provide for the terms of the tenancy contract (Schedule 2) and the tenancy (Schedule 3). Regulation 11 provides for who the local authority may accept as the successful bidder, but also gives the local authority power to decide not to accept any bid. Regulation 12 determines when the rental auction is concluded, and regulation 13 makes provision for payment of the costs of the auction process. Regulation 14 provides for the service of any documents required as part of the auction process.

Part 3 of the Regulations amends Part 4 of Schedule 2 to the General Permitted Development Order to provide for planning permission for a temporary change of use in consequence of the grant of a tenancy following a rental auction held under Part 10 of the 2023 Act.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument, as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.