The government has revived plans to allow the conversion of vacant office buildings to residential use, a flagship policy from last year designed to increase the pipeline of new homes that the coalition said subsequently would not be implemented following a hostile reaction to consultation.
The Government confirmed that it would not take the proposals forward in a ministerial statement issued by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles last week in support of the housing stimulus package.
Pickles says the government will press ahead with the introduction of permitted development rights to enable change of use from commercial to residential purposes, but will provide an opportunity for planning authorities to seek a local exemption where they believe there will be an adverse economic impact.
‘This common sense measure will help the regeneration of our towns and cities. Our high streets will benefit from a greater resident population, increasing footfall and supporting local shops,’ said Pickles.
In July this year the government launched a separate consultation on a raft of permitted development proposals for encouraging the re-use of existing buildings, including: temporary ‘low impact’ use of commercial buildings for two years; increases in the size thresholds for change of use in business/office and warehouse space; lifting change of use controls on agricultural buildings to boost rural enterprise; and the conversion of hotels and boarding houses to residential use.
The RIBA’s response to the consultation and a further consultation on the information required for outline planning applications, can be found on the RIBA website.
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Jonathan Braddick is a RIBA Chartered Architect based in Devon, in Exmouth near Exeter.
Jonathan is Chairman of the South West Region of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Jonathan is also founder and chairman of the Design Review Panel (www.designreviewpanel.co.uk) which provides impartially, independent, multidiciplinary design review / place review services to local authorities.
In private practice, Jonathan offers a comprehensive Architects service: from conceptual design through to completion on site, and beyond. Jonathan practices throughout the South West and South East of England.
Jonathan provides full Architect services across all project sectors and types, but his particular passion is for bespoke, ecologically sustainable, residential developments including: housing developments, individual house builds, conversions and high-end extensions for both developer and private clients.
Jonathan Braddick is not just a designer, but has a strong focus on carrying projects through from inception to completion on site. Jonathan provides a high level of legislative and technical knowledge as well as specialist expertise in construction procurement and on site contract administration. Jonathan ensures that his designs respond to all relevant planning legislation, will comply with the building regulations, are constructionally cost effective and buildable on site. In house sustainability/energy efficient design is provided as a matter of course.
