UK Land Reform Row: Schedule 27 Sparks Property Rights Backlash
- Admin
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
The UK government's latest legislative effort, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, has stirred up a heated national debate particularly over a little-known provision buried deep within its legal framework.
At the heart of the controversy lies Schedule 27, a clause granting sweeping new powers to local authorities that critics warn could fundamentally alter private property rights in England. Introduced by Deputy Labour Leader Angela Rayner, the bill is currently at its second reading in Parliament and is intended to promote local empowerment. However, opponents argue that it may tip the balance too far, threatening long-held principles of private ownership and market fairness.
What Is Schedule 27?
Schedule 27 allows councils to draw up lists of “Community Assets” properties or land deemed to have, at any point in the past, served the social or economic wellbeing of the local population. This could include anything from a former community hall, pub, or sports ground, to industrial sites and commercial land.
Under this provision:
Only ‘preferred community buyers’ can purchase assets once listed.
Local councils set the value of the property, even if it's below current market value.
These powers can be invoked up to five years before any proposed development.
The definition of a "community asset" is intentionally broad, potentially encompassing privately held properties that haven’t served public use for decades.
This means private owners could find themselves locked out of selling on the open market, with no guarantee of fair market price effectively placing pre-emptive restrictions on land and asset sales across England.
Supporters Say: Empower Communities
Proponents of the bill argue that Schedule 27 enhances local control and gives communities a fair shot at preserving valuable assets that might otherwise be sold off to developers or speculative investors. Labour leadership has framed it as a mechanism for rebalancing power, ensuring that local interests are not overridden by purely commercial ones.
They point to long-standing frustrations with the disappearance of public spaces, heritage buildings, and local businesses in the face of rapid gentrification or corporate redevelopment.
Critics Warn: “Land Communism by Stealth”
But critics are ringing alarm bells over what they describe as a backdoor move toward state-controlled land redistribution.
Maxwell Marlow, Director of Research at the Adam Smith Institute, did not mince words:
“Schedule 27 is a return to land communism but with more bureaucracy. The Government must immediately strip this clause from the bill. Communities can already buy assets on the open market. Introducing artificial restrictions and undervalued sales will damage investment, undermine ownership rights, and erode trust in local authorities.”
He further warned that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) may be forced to step in should the legislation pass in its current form, citing potential breaches of market fairness and anti-competition rules.
Key Implications
Issue | Impact |
Private Ownership | Property owners may be blocked from selling to private buyers at market rate. |
Valuation Power | Local councils can undercut market value, raising legal and economic concerns. |
Investor Confidence | Could deter development, especially in rural or semi-urban areas. |
Legal Ambiguity | Vague definition of “community asset” leaves room for inconsistent application. |
Localism vs Market Freedom | Sparks a deeper debate over the role of government in managing land and resources. |
What Happens Next?
As the bill progresses through Parliament, it is expected to face intense scrutiny not only from opposition parties and free-market think tanks but also from legal experts and the private sector. Amendments to Schedule 27 are likely to be proposed in committee stages.
The outcome will test the government’s commitment to local empowerment without veering into economic overreach. For now, Schedule 27 remains one of the most polarizing legislative proposals in the UK’s recent political history.
Final Thoughts
While the intention behind the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill may be noble returning power to local communities Schedule 27 introduces legal, economic, and ethical questions that strike at the core of property rights and free market principles. Whether this clause is ultimately passed, amended, or removed could shape the UK’s urban and rural landscapes for generations to come.
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