VAT: Changes Needed to Safeguard local Buildings with Character

3.24.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 3rd Feb 2006

Manchester Liberal Democrats have called for changes to the VAT regime to make it more attractive for developers to repair or restore existing buildings instead of demolishing them.

Councillor John Grant, Liberal Democrat councillor for Whalley Range and member of the council's planning committee, called on the government to harmonise VAT on greenfield and brownfield sites at this week's meeting of Manchester City Council. At present new buildings on greenfield sites are zero rated for VAT while the repair, restoration and conversion of existing buildings on brownfield sites are charged VAT at 17.5%. Harmonisation was a recommendation in the report from the Rogers Urban Task Force to the government and again highlighted in their recent final report.

Cllr Grant said:

"If the government address this issue it will show a commitment to re-use existing buildings, especially those which add character to an area. We have sadly seen landmark buildings in our neighbourhood demolished and replaced by faceless flats. Developers and property owners need to know that we value buildings of character and want them repaired, restored and converted, not allowed to decay or be demolished."

"The Grove Pub and the GMB College are good examples of buildings with character in Whalley Range. The Grove was sadly demolished and the College is a grade 2* listed building which stands empty at the moment. There are others examples throughout Manchester. I hope we will see the government act on the recommendation from the Urban Task Force."

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