Ms Mary Hughes:

One of the problems with derelict sites is that much of the time they are complicated by their title. Derelict sites is an area of the legislation which probably has not been advanced or used very well by local authorities. The derelict sites levy is in place. I do not know the exact returns in terms of the levy but my experience of the system would suggest that the levy is not utilised or effectively utilised. Also the local authority has powers in respect of CPOs.

Perhaps a way of advancing the issue of derelict sites, particularly those sites which are scarred by bad title, would be for the local authorities to place CPOs on those sites and sell them on with a clean title. Vacant and derelict sites need to be actively promoted, particularly by local authorities, so that we have an active management process in terms of promoting their development. This active management process could include reduced development contributions, as advocated under the development contribution scheme, and other incentives to try to stimulate redevelopment.

I will now pass over to my colleague, Mr. van der Kamp, to deal with the issue of effective plan-led development and the changes required in legislation for this.