Issue - meetings

High Street Rental Auctions, as part of new government legislation, will enhance the council’s ability to bring long-term vacant properties on the high-street back in to use via an auction process.

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 gives the Authority the power to go ahead with the High Street Rental Auction (HSRA) a new permissive power. As per the guidance, once the Authority has designated specific streets or areas as HSRA areas (following a mandatory 28 day consultation) which satisfy the test that the area is important to the local economy due to a concentration of high street uses. The designation is registered as a local land charge.

The Authority can then only use the powers in that area designated. This does not stop more areas being designated later provided they also meet the test and can be funded.

BCP Council undertook a public consultation to gauge opinions from key stakeholders over the required period of 28 days during the summer of 2025. The results highlighted a 75% approval for the programme. There is clearly a local desire for HSRAs to be implemented and bring new life to the high street. 

The next step in the process is for Cabinet to designate the high streets within Bournemouth town centre. Without this, the power of HSRAs cannot be implemented.

It should be noted that the HSRA process is multi-stage and may take several months from designation to the first auction, due to statutory notice periods and preparatory work.