The MP for Milton Keynes North, Chris Curtis, has welcomed new powers announced by the Government this week to give communities more control over their local high street.
The plans give unprecedented new powers to local people to seize boarded shops, save derelict pubs and block gambling and vape shops on their high street. The measures form the largest transfer of power from Whitehall to communities in our history.
Among the raft of new powers are a Community Right to Buy, giving local people the power to buy beloved assets in the heart of their communities, new compulsory purchase powers to allow communities to acquire eyesores, and powers to block unwanted shops, preventing high streets becoming rows of betting shops, vape stores and fake barbers.
“Our local high streets in Milton Keynes North are among our greatest treasures - from Stony Stratford to Newport Pagnell and Great Linford to Olney, they are the heart of our communities,” said Chris Curtis, Labour MP for Milton Keynes North, “But local people too often tell me they are worried about the future of our high streets. I’m delighted that we’re giving people the power to shape those futures themselves.
"I’ve been proud to champion our incredible small businesses in Milton Keynes since becoming an MP, from running a weekly Small Business Saturday campaign, to speaking up for them in Parliament,” he added.
“What I really hope is that these new powers will give people ownership over their high streets once again, and help independent and community-owned businesses to thrive.”
