The British Property Federation (BPF) has told the government that a healthy property industry will be vital to the country’s continued economic recovery.

In a submission to Government ahead of next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review the BPF has called for a number of measure, including using planning and public sector assets to drive economic growth, streamline sustainability policy and re-instate empty property rate relief.

The BPF said plans for a New Homes Bonus, which matches the council tax raised on each new house for six years, should be extended to commercial schemes, and for government to further localise business rates.

Liz Peace, BPF chief executive, said: “The government needs to act quickly to provide a stimulus for commercial development and also to allow local authorities greater control over general rating. This would provide a much stronger motivation for local authorities to back new development that generates economic activity and creates new jobs.””