Change of use to signal death of the high street?
10 December 2020
The consultation published yesterday seeks views on: a proposed new permitted development right for the change of use from Commercial, Business and Service use to Residential to create new homes, measures to support public service infrastructure through the planning system and the approach to simplifying and consolidating existing permitted development rights following changes to the Use Classes Order.
It states that: “This right will provide much needed new homes across the country, giving clarity and planning certainty and attract footfall to high streets that new residents will bring. All new homes would be required to meet national space standards.”
It is also suggested that it will help tackle the housing shortage by enabling commercial premises to be converted into new homes while giving high streets a new lease of life – removing eyesores and transforming unused and derelict buildings, while making the most of our brownfield land.
What is of concern is the potential lack of s.106 obligations regarding affordable housing, open space, education etc. which could signal many thousands of ‘infrastructureless’ dwellings.
The consultation will run from 3 December 2020 to 28 January 2021 and is open to all to respond and they are keen to hear from a wide range of interested parties from across the public and private sectors, as well as from the general public.
For more information on the matters covered above, please contact Steven Bell or another member of the Planning and Environmental Team.
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Steven Bell
Services
The content of this article is for general information only. It is not, and should not be taken as, legal advice. If you require any further information in relation to this article please contact the author in the first instance. Law covered as at December 2020.