Making use of empty land in the meanwhile: Denham at Kings Cross
The creation of a new 'meanwhile' land licence that will help community enterprises make use of empty land for activities like growing food was announced yesterday by communities secretary John Denham.
Speaking at a visit to a community garden in London's King's Cross, Denham said the correct leases made easy connections between 'people who have land and people who want to use land'.
The licence, which is still being developed, will provide temporary access to unused land. Its development is part of the wider Meanwhile Project for vacant assets which is being led by the Development Trusts Association (DTA) and supported by the Communities and Local Government department.
Head of consultancy at the DTA Jess Steele said: 'Across the country the recession has left a number of empty assets - both land and buildings in its wake. An empty asset is social and economic value lost and using them "in the meanwhile" for the benefit to the wider community is crucial to reducing the negative impacts of the recession.'
The 'meanwhile' land licence would build on the Meanwhile Lease for vacant shops which has already been developed.
...as Susan Boyle might have sung. On SocialEnterpriselive.com this week:
Like what you read? Sign up for our weekly news bulletin and follow us on Twitter.
Over 4,300 social enterprises and third sector organisations trust us to look after over 149,000 employees’ pensions.With more than 65 years’ experience, we understand.
