6 INDUSTRY NEWS
‘Radical’ consultation launched to broaden permitted development
Green retrofit strategy needed to accelerate construction
The Ministry of Housing has launched a “surprise” consultation for a new permitted development right allowing all ‘Class E’ buildings to change use to ‘Residential.’
If passed, the legislation could report- edly broaden the scope of the existing residential conversion rights significantly. The rights would apply not only to offices, light industrial and retail for possible conversion, but also to restaurants, gyms, medical facilities and crèches. The new regulations would apply to all Class E buildings, regardless the size of the property in question. They are also intended to apply in Conservation Areas, except for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, areas specified by the Secretary of State under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and World Heritage Sites. The usual exclusions for listed
buildings, sites of special scientific interest, scheduled monuments, safety hazard areas, military explosives storage areas and sites subject to an agricultural tenancy would continue to apply, however.
The proposed list of matters under discussion which will be subject to the prior approval process has been deemed “remarkably short” by some in the industry. Currently all that is proposed are Prior Approvals relating to: 1. Flooding, to ensure residential
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development does not take place in areas of high flood risk
2. Transport, particularly safe site access 3. Contaminated land or buildings 4. Impacts of noise from existing commer- cial premises
5. The provision of adequate natural light in habitable rooms 6. Fire safety
7. The impact on the intended occupiers in an area important for heavy industry and waste management
The application process is intended to be similarly light, with the list of required documents being limited to detailed floor plans showing dimensions and proposed use of each room, including the position of windows, any information necessary for the consideration of the matters for prior approval, and fees appropriate. MHCLG are proposing a fee of £96 per dwelling, capped at a maximum of £4,800. Nicola Gooch, planning partner at Irwin Mitchell, commented: “Given the impact that Covid 19, and the associated restric- tions, have had on the economy, there will be a real temptation for commercial landlords to flip vacant units to residential before looking at other, more traditional, commercial uses for them. “If this is enacted, unless councils are very quick off the mark with their Article 4 directions, the future of many high streets may very quickly become predominantly residential.”
The slowdown in construction activity since summer 2020 needs to be boosted by a national strategy to upgrade existing homes to make them greener and more energy efficient, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The organisation made the comment in response to recent Construction PMI data, showing that the construction recovery “softened” compared to the summer high, and employment had continued to fall since the first lockdown. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, has argued that due to the continued challenges, “now is the time for the Government to take action and instigate a National Retrofit Strategy.” Berry believed this could stimulate work and employment throughout the sector, while supporting the Prime Minister’s latest carbon emission reduction targets. “As we emerge from the difficulties
faced during the past year, 2021 should be seen as a year of significant opportunity to move the dial further towards Net Zero and build back greener,” said Berry. “A retrofit strategy would provide economic, environmental and social benefits throughout all regions, supporting the Government’s levelling up agenda.”
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