UK Cities Most Affected by Building Neglect
Britain’s Eyesore Capitals Revealed: The Cities Most Affected by Building Neglect
Despite regeneration efforts and the growing focus on urban renewal, many parts of Britain are still blighted by rundown buildings and neglected properties.
When streets fall into disrepair, local councils can issue Section 215 notices – formal warnings that require property owners to tidy up unsightly or decaying land and buildings.
But just how widespread is the problem of building neglect across the UK? To uncover this, we at Lavastar submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to councils nationwide, revealing where the most Section 215 notices have been issued. To help offer a solution to the growing problem, we explain how building wraps can help combat this issue, providing a compliant and attractive cover that enhances both appearance and safety.
So, without further ado, let’s look at the cities with the most Section 215 notices issued since 2020.
What is a Section 215 Notice?
A Section 215 Notice is a legal notice issued by a local planning authority under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (UK). It’s used when the condition of land or buildings is considered detrimental to the amenity of the area, for example, if a property is neglected, overgrown, or unsightly.
The notice requires the owner or occupier to complete specified works or improvements within an outlined period. Failure to comply can result in the council undertaking the work and recovering the costs or even prosecuting the owner.
Shopfronts Under Scrutiny: The High Street Problem
While Section 215 notices can be issued for any unsightly land or building, our data reveals a particular focus on commercial shopfronts, the very heart of Britain’s struggling high streets. Here is an overview of the UK cities and towns where shops have received the highest number of Section 215 notices:
| Council | Number of Section 215 Notices Relating to Shopfront/Building Fronts |
|
78 |
|
43 |
|
41 |
|
34 |
|
28 |
|
19 |
|
12 |
|
11 |
|
8 |
|
8 |
The City of Westminster leads the charge with 78 Section 215 notices relating specifically to shopfronts and building fronts. This could indicate a lower tolerance for unsightly conditions in one of the UK’s most prestigious retail and tourism destinations.
Blackpool Council has issued 43 notices since 2020, all related to shopfronts. For a town dependent on tourism and visitor experience, derelict shop windows are deemed unacceptable.
Lancaster tells a similar story: 28 notices issued, all targeting shopfronts. Doncaster has issued 34 shopfront-related notices out of 38 total, while Coventry has focused 41 out of 43 notices on commercial building fronts.
Empty or rundown shops can have a significant ripple effect on their surroundings. They create a perception of decline and economic failure, making once-thriving areas feel neglected and uninviting.
Over time, this damages the overall appeal and offer of a town centre, leading to lower property values and deterring future investment, trapping communities in a cycle of visible and economic decline.
The retail crisis has left many town centres with vacant units that sit empty for months or years. Meanwhile, property owners may be locked in legal disputes, awaiting new tenants, or simply unable to afford full refurbishment.
The London Effect: Capital Enforcement Hotspots
London isn’t just the nation’s capital; it’s also subject to some of the UK’s most aggressive enforcement of building standards. Our FOI data shows that London boroughs are leading the charge when it comes to Section 215 notices.
As mentioned, the City of Westminster tops the charts with 80 notices issued since 2020, 78 of which relate to shopfronts and building fronts. With Oxford Street, Piccadilly, and Covent Garden within its boundaries, Westminster’s enforcement reflects the premium standards expected in one of the world’s most visited cities.
The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham has issued an extraordinary 89 notices—though notably, none relate to shopfronts, suggesting a focus on residential and industrial properties that still impact visual amenity.
Lewisham has had 61 notices since 2022 alone, while Brent has issued 80 notices across the same period. Even smaller boroughs are also receiving similar: Camden (3 notices, 1 shopfront-related), Greenwich (42 notices, 3 shopfront-related), and Southwark (7 notices, 5 shopfront-related).
Why is London so enforcement-heavy?
- Property values and investor confidence – Neglected buildings in high-value areas threaten billions in real estate investment.
- Tourism and global reputation – London cannot afford visual blight in its most iconic areas.
- Dense urban environment – In tightly packed streets, one rundown building affects dozens of neighbours.
- Regeneration priorities – Many boroughs are actively transforming neighbourhoods and won’t tolerate decay.
The message is clear for property owners and developers in London: councils will not ignore these issues.
However, with high property values, renovation budgets are stretched, and planning processes can be glacial.
From Eyesore to Asset: How Building Wraps Restore Urban Appeal
Building wraps offer a practical, visually appealing way to conceal unsightly or unfinished buildings. They not only enhance the look of an area but also deliver several key benefits for owners, developers, and local communities alike.
- Maintains premium area standards while full works are completed.
- Protects brand reputation for businesses operating in prestigious locations.
- Satisfies council requirements quickly, avoiding escalation.
- Transforms an eyesore into an opportunity with high-quality, branded imagery.
In London, where appearance is everything and enforcement is relentless, building wraps aren’t optional; they’re essential for staying on the right side of the council while protecting your investment.
The Compliance Time Crisis: Why Building Wraps Are the Perfect Interim Solution
When a council issues a Section 215 notice, property owners are given a deadline to bring their building up to standard. But our FOI data reveals a startling truth: compliance is rarely quick.
The average time taken to resolve a Section 215 notice varies wildly across the UK—from a brisk one month in councils like Torridge and South Hams, to a staggering 849 days (over two years) in Monmouthshire. Sevenoaks isn’t far behind at 668 days, while West Lancashire clocks in at 743 days.
Even in more efficient councils, compliance typically takes 6 to 10 months. That’s half a year to nearly a year of an eyesore building blighting the streetscape, driving down footfall, and damaging the reputation of the surrounding area.
The problem is clear: renovation takes time. Planning permissions, contractor availability, funding arrangements, and the physical work itself all contribute to lengthy timescales. But the building doesn’t have to look derelict while this happens.
This is where building wraps offer a powerful solution. Instead of boarded-up windows and peeling paint, a wrapped shopfront can:
- Display vibrant imagery that maintains street appeal.
- Advertise “Coming Soon” developments to generate interest.
- Feature local heritage or community art to engage residents.
- Provide a clean, maintained appearance that satisfies council requirements.
In areas under heavy enforcement scrutiny, like Westminster, Blackpool, and Lancaster, building wraps aren’t just an aesthetic choice, they’re a strategic response to council pressure. Protecting property owners from further action, they preserve the vitality of the high street during repairs.
In Conclusion
The data is clear: Section 215 enforcement is widespread, targeting shopfronts specifically, and resolution timelines stretch from months to years.
Property owners across the UK, from Westminster’s prestigious streets to Blackpool’s seafront, face the same challenge: meeting council requirements without leaving their buildings as eyesores during lengthy renovations. Building wraps elegantly solve this problem.
They provide:
- Immediate compliance with Section 215 requirements.
- Protection for your property during works.
- Professional appearance that maintains area standards.
- Marketing potential to showcase future developments.
- Cost-effective interim solution while full renovations are planned and executed.
Whether you’re facing a Section 215 notice now or want to stay ahead of council scrutiny, our building wraps transform liability into opportunity, turning derelict shopfronts into canvases for regeneration.
Don’t let your property become a statistic. Contact us at Lavastar today to discuss how we can transform your building with a wrap.
