Enterprise & Innovation
Feature
Permitted development is
of certain large construction companies, the sector has stabilised, and certain areas are thriving. Specifically, the area that we specialise in has seen a
building the future T
By Caroline Heath (pictured), operations manager at DRG Interior & Building Solutions
he construction industry has always been recognised as a turbulent industry; however, within the last few years, even with the downfall
massive upturn due to the continued Government support for permitted development (PD). Since May 2013 the rules of PD have been made more lenient. The change of use from commercial to residential has been made possible without the need of planning permission (though there are a few areas with exemption), so companies like ourselves, that specialise in commercial conversion or office fitouts, are struggling to keep up with demand. The rate of office-to-residential conversions in England went up by nearly 40 per cent between 2016 and 2017, according to estate agents
Savills.This area is specifically thriving due to the economic downturn within the retail sector. In recent years we now see, more than ever, empty stores on our high streets. This market change is the changing culture itself; consumer spending is heading down the online route rather than a visit to the local high-street. The consumer is changing, and we can see already that the high-street has to adapt to customer demands and deliver more of a customer experience linked to lifestyle and wellbeing. Empty stores are being converted into apartments. With more residential homes on the high-street, the
consumer wants more entertainment and concept stores rather than numerous retail stores. The high street spending is set to soar by £5.3bn in the next five years (4.9 per cent) according to retail research company Global Data. We can see this already happening with the rise of coffee shops, restaurants and bars and of course the upturn of residential apartments. Research shows there are around 22,000 coffee shops in the UK which are helping to revamp our bleak high streets by offering the consumer time to relax and socialise with friends and family, which is also
linked to improving mental health and wellbeing (another subject that is currently being discussed in the media). The Government have recently printed their latest
Press Release, which sees £1bn future High-Street Fund expanded to 50 more areas. The scheme is intended to reenergise and transform high streets by helping them to attract new businesses, boost local growth and create new infrastructure, residential homes and jobs. The Government has recently permanently extended Permitted Development rights, which means there is no longer a huge rush to get developments or planning completed by 30 May. The UK population is growing at a rate of more than 500,000 people every year, but new homes are not being built quickly enough to meet this demand, so the Government is exploring what can be done to ease the UK housing crisis. Apartment living is one solution. So the message to developers and businesses looking
for new investment opportunities is clear – the construction sector is certainly one area that is developing and continuing to pick up pace. The future is looking better for the high street and affordable options are being put forth to help ease the housing crisis.
‘With more residential homes on the high- street, the consumer wants more entertainment and concept stores rather than numerous retail stores’
The consumer wants more entertainment and concept stores on the high-street October 2019 CHAMBERLINK 61
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