Hackney residents to reclaim empty buildings in major land ownership probe

Hackney Council has launched a borough-wide investigation into land ownership and the use of public assets, marking a significant policy shift under newly-elected Mayor Zoë Garbett. The initiative, titled “Who Owns Hackney?”, seeks to identify vacant or underutilised spaces and explore legal avenues to return them to community use. This move follows years of rapid urban development in the area, which has often left residents feeling disconnected from the changing landscape of their own neighbourhoods.

The investigation is designed to improve transparency around property ownership and increase community access to buildings that are currently sitting idle. Mayor Garbett has directed council teams to begin a series of high-level audits and assessments to determine how the borough’s physical assets can better serve the public interest rather than speculative private gains.

Audit of land usage across the borough

A central pillar of the investigation is a comprehensive audit of land usage throughout Hackney. This data-driven approach will map out ownership patterns to provide a clearer picture of which entities control the borough’s soil. By establishing this baseline of information, the council intends to create new frameworks that give residents a greater say in how local spaces are developed or preserved.

The audit will not only look at private holdings but will also scrutinise how the Council’s own portfolio is managed. This includes a review of community halls and other council-owned spaces to ensure they are accessible to voluntary organisations and grassroots groups. The goal is to maximise the utility of every square metre of public land, ensuring that community groups are not priced out of the very areas they serve.

Compulsory purchase orders for empty properties

The investigation will also conduct a full assessment of options for bringing empty spaces back into active use. This includes the potential application of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), a legal mechanism that allows the council to acquire land or property without the consent of the owner if it is in the public interest. While CPOs are often a last resort, the Mayor has indicated a willingness to use these powers to prevent properties from falling into disrepair or being held solely for financial speculation.

In addition to CPOs, the council is exploring “community right to buy” powers. These provisions could allow local groups the first opportunity to purchase land or buildings when they come up for sale, provided they can demonstrate a clear community benefit. This strategy aims to shift the balance of power from large-scale developers back to local residents and small-scale community enterprises.

Mayor Garbett on reclaiming community spaces

Launching the investigation, Mayor Zoë Garbett highlighted the disconnect many residents feel regarding the evolution of their streets. She noted that people in Hackney have seen their neighbourhoods change around them over the last two decades and are questioning who controls these changes and in whose interests they are made.

“Who Owns Hackney is the first step in giving Hackney back to its communities,” Mayor Garbett stated. “It will reveal who owns land and how it is used, increase understanding around the Council’s own assets and how they are used, and set out the options we have to repurpose spaces for public good.”

While the council acknowledges it cannot control every property in the borough, the investigation represents a commitment to using every available legal and administrative power to prioritise the needs of residents. The findings of the “Who Owns Hackney?” probe will eventually inform future planning policies and community investment strategies. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official council channels as the audit progresses through its initial stages.

Source: Hackney Council

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This report is based on official policy announcements from the Mayor of Hackney and Hackney Council regarding the 'Who Owns Hackney?' investigation.

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• Verified investigation launch via Hackney Council newsroom
• Confirmed Mayor Zoë Garbett's specific policy directives
• Cross-referenced UK compulsory purchase order (CPO) legal context

Hackney Council News Check Hackney Council land audit updates

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Hackney Council News

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Hackney

Updated

2026-05-22 06:08

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Article contextPeople & topics1#7

Zoë Garbett

#community assets#compulsory purchase orders#Hackney#land ownership#London property#Urban Development#Zoë Garbett

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