Government publishes new guidance on the disposal of public sector land

Managing Surplus Government Property replaces the previous Guide for the Disposal of Surplus Land, with greater emphasis on reviewing options and combining multiple factors when considering the disposal or re-use of surplus property assets.

The aim is to achieve optimal benefit from government assets in the public interest, the Cabinet Office said.

It said Identifying ‘surplus’ assets is normally done by individual government organisations but their potential value “should be considered in relation to the whole of the government agenda”.

An asset that may be surplus to one government organisation could be useful to another and “both perspectives should be included when considering the available options” .

Property assets no longer required should take on more productive uses, whether in or out of the public sector, as these alternative uses “can give a significant boost to housing, economic regeneration, new infrastructure or ecosystems that are vital for our national and global wellbeing”.

The Cabinet Office said Government organisations are expected to prepare strategies and programmes for the management of property assets as part of their financial responsibility.

Mark Smulian