The new permitted development rights which come into full force today (30th May 2013) represents one of the most ill-thought policies yet from a coalition government rapidly slimming down the planning system.
One of the most worrying and controversial aspects of the scheme is the right for the conversion from class B1(a) to C3 use without the requirement for planning permission. At the start of May the government released a list of areas who were successful in lobbying for an exemption.
The full list is an odd mix and raises questions over the process used to determine the successful areas; especially when one notes that Sevenoaks which have somehow managed to give special protection to the Crown Inn at Westerham is the seat of the business minister Michael Fallon.
While it is undisputed that certain boroughs, particularly in London, must protect their office stock in order to attract investment and businesses it is concerning that not enough protection is given to the valuable office sock in the regional cities (with the exception of Manchester) or rural districts outside of the south east of England; The area precisely where more homes are needed.
Cutting the supply of office accommodation in key regional centres stands to force up the prices of the existing office stock which will only make it more difficult for small and young businesses to find suitable premises; stifling both innovation and entrepreneurial-ship outside of the capital. Two qualities we should be encouraging as the country staggers out of recession.
The policy will be to the long term detriment to regional economic growth.
The need to obtain planning permission does not prevent such changes were they are appropriate indeed in practice I have succeeded in releasing land from B1 use in a central London borough with little fuss. The advantage of the planning process is that it allows the local community and the relevant local authority to consider the impacts of the change on the locality and on the economy.
The government promised to give communities a greater voice via its localism agenda, this policy prevents this voice being heard.
One of the most worrying and controversial aspects of the scheme is the right for the conversion from class B1(a) to C3 use without the requirement for planning permission. At the start of May the government released a list of areas who were successful in lobbying for an exemption.
The full list is an odd mix and raises questions over the process used to determine the successful areas; especially when one notes that Sevenoaks which have somehow managed to give special protection to the Crown Inn at Westerham is the seat of the business minister Michael Fallon.
While it is undisputed that certain boroughs, particularly in London, must protect their office stock in order to attract investment and businesses it is concerning that not enough protection is given to the valuable office sock in the regional cities (with the exception of Manchester) or rural districts outside of the south east of England; The area precisely where more homes are needed.
Cutting the supply of office accommodation in key regional centres stands to force up the prices of the existing office stock which will only make it more difficult for small and young businesses to find suitable premises; stifling both innovation and entrepreneurial-ship outside of the capital. Two qualities we should be encouraging as the country staggers out of recession.
The policy will be to the long term detriment to regional economic growth.
The need to obtain planning permission does not prevent such changes were they are appropriate indeed in practice I have succeeded in releasing land from B1 use in a central London borough with little fuss. The advantage of the planning process is that it allows the local community and the relevant local authority to consider the impacts of the change on the locality and on the economy.
The government promised to give communities a greater voice via its localism agenda, this policy prevents this voice being heard.
