property 43
Class J Permitted Development: Help or hindrance to economic growth?
At present the Government is consulting on making the time in which office buildings can be converted to residential permanent, writes Sarah Isherwood, graduate planner, Vail Williams LLP
The controversial legislation was initially brought in for a three-year period (to May 2016) to kick-start development and growth by cutting the amount of red-tape involved in a standard planning application. In some areas of Reading, this has proved successful. Kings Road is a prime example where previously vacant Grade B office stock has been brought back into use through residential conversion. In the past 18 months the Thames Valley office market appears to be performing well, suggesting that confidence is growing in the area. As the office market in Reading continues to grow, will there be an adequate and suitable supply to suggest that a timeframe extension would be beneficial?
Not only is the Government
proposing a time extension of office to residential conversion through permitted development rights, it is also looking to include B1(c) (light industrial) and B8 (storage and distribution).
The Government is introducing this legislation to boost the UK housing numbers through the reuse of previously developed land (brownfield). The reality is the number of light industrial units in the Thames Valley which will be suitable for residential conversion is likely to be proportionately so small that it will barely scratch the surface of the housing shortage. Certain locations in the Thames Valley, including Reading, have an undersupply of Grade A industrial space. As a consequence not only is it unlikely that industrial to residential conversion will
the core strategy target of 572 dwellings per year. Furthermore, against a government requirement for five years of housing supply, Reading Council can currently demonstrate a supply of 7.82 years which indicates that housing supply is currently above target. Given the improving performance of the industrial market, losing industrial units to residential conversion may be detrimental to the Thames Valley market. It also begs the wider question of whether a blanket approach across England will generate the required number of houses given the variety of markets within the regions.
For any advice on Class J permitted development legislation or any other areas of planning, contact our planning team at
planning@vailwilliams.com.
significantly contribute to housing supply but it will also diminish the industrial stock that the Thames Valley may need in the future.
The most recent Annual Monitoring Report published by Reading Borough Council in March 2014, identified that average housing completions have exceeded
Details: Sarah Isherwood 07554-005585
sisherwood@vailwilliams.com www.vailwilliams.com
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