The British Property Federation has officially launched its agenda for the next four years, promising to nurture relations with the Government while opposing leasehold reform and pushing for a shake-up of stamp duty and planning.
The Property Agenda 2001 – 2005 builds on the groundwork laid out in the BPF’s manifesto, published last month, by promising to put pressure on the Government over the next four years to reform stamp duty, commit to a far-reaching overhaul of the planning system and scrap leasehold legislation.
Included in the 24-page document is a bold promise: “The Federation will reform stamp duty.” The agenda continues by stating that the BPF’s aim is both to reduce the rate and to ensure “that its use as a fiscal tool to control the overheating of the domestic housing market does not have an adverse effect on the commercial property sector”.
Legislation, such as the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, is also discouraged by the BPF. “There is no need for legislation to regulate the market, which would alter the balance of interest and risk between the landlord and tenant,” states the document
The BPF’s agenda also welcomes the Government’s promised reform of the planning system, but states that “more far-reaching reform of the planning process and procedures is required to transform its culture into one which seeks to achieve rather than to control”.
The BPF advocates regular and quick review of Development Plans, along with a four-year lifespan for any plan that has not been revised.
Other commitments in the agenda include a promise to work closely with RDAs and promote a stronger relationship between Government and the property industry.
The BPF’s agenda has reaffirmed its desire to have a close working relationship with all levels of government. Grosvenor’s Jeremy Newsum, the new BPF president, said: “For too long and too often property issues have been discussed using the language of conflict.”
EGi News 12/06/01
