A groundswell of public opinion is pushing for action as nearly half of UK adults demand the transformation of abandoned and derelict buildings in their cities, latest analysis from Together reveals.
Concerns are mounting over the staggering number of crumbling structures, with 46% fearing the situation will worsen without urgent intervention.
The research found that two fifths of respondents felt ‘unsafe’ because of the state of abandoned buildings in their cities, while four out of 10 (40%) believe these directly contribute to poor economic growth. A similar number (41%) of those polled even expressed safety concerns over leaving them to fall into further disrepair.
Together’s analysis of Census and Local Authority data also revealed that as of 2023, there was a total of 1.55 million residential homes worth £532 billion that stand empty across England and Wales, with Westminster the worst offender with nearly 36,000 vacant homes.
ABANDONED
These homes are technically ‘abandoned’ – with no usual or short-term residents in place, or use as a second home, without any clarity on plans for sale or redevelopment.
This was followed by Cornwall which has just over 28,000 and Birmingham with just under 26,000. Other offenders in the top 10 include Liverpool, Leeds, Camden and Manchester.
And yet there is a clear belief that regeneration of residential and commercial buildings can restore civic pride, with 67% agreeing disused sites are a waste of land and redevelopment potential, and almost a third (29%) want them restored to their former glory.
Elliot Vure, Corporate Director at Together, says: “These findings underscore a pressing need for action. Most Britons are calling for the revitalisation of these abandoned buildings, recognising the potential they hold for regenerating communities and economies in cities across the UK.
“While we’re pleased to see that regenerating previously developed land is a central tenet of the Levelling Up agenda, it’s crucial that the Government shows more ambition in supporting the potential redevelopment of abandoned and derelict buildings.
“This will be paramount in addressing the housing crisis, which will be a key feature in the upcoming General Election.”
Top 10 Local Authorities holding highest numbers of vacant homes:
|
Local Authority |
Number of Vacant Homes |
Average House Price |
|
Westminster |
35,730 |
£870,963 |
|
Cornwall |
28,356 |
£312,338 |
|
Birmingham |
25,993 |
£225,934 |
|
Liverpool |
21,508 |
£177,521 |
|
East Lindsey (Lincolnshire) |
20,532 |
£223,373 |
|
Kensington & Chelsea |
19,173 |
£1,127,021 |
|
Leeds |
18,026 |
£242,238 |
|
Camden |
17,412 |
£830,349 |
|
Manchester |
14,063 |
£238,461 |
|
County Durham |
13,940 |
£127,299 |
Empty home owners in England face double council tax
English local authorities are set to increase council tax on empty homes by up to 100% from April 1.
The reforms are aimed at supporting people such as first time buyers by stimulating movement in the market and freeing up properties that are empty or abandoned, helping buyers get on the housing ladder.
Announced as part of a raft of measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, they reduce the time before a property is considered empty from two to one year. Those standing empty for one year will be subject to a 100% council tax premium.
Although the reforms have been broadly welcomed, critics want greater incentives to support people bringing empty homes back into use, rather than penalising owners through higher tax premiums4.
