Pandemic could create surge in substandard conversions
The Municipality Association has warned that office blocks which are left empty following the coronavirus pandemic risk being converted into potential substandard housing.
The LGA has claimed which more than 16,000 affordable homes could have been lost in England in the past five years because of offices changed into homes under permitted development rights, which permit developers to bypass the look system.
With the LGA giving evidence to the Housing, Communities and native Government Select Committee inquiry on permitted development rights, councillors have expressed concerns about a few of the substandard housing made from permitted development conversions, and also the lack of any requirement for developers to supply affordable homes or supporting infrastructure.
The government has extended permitted development rights to apply to any or all commercial units and business premises – meaning shops, banks, restaurants, gyms, creches and offices is now able to turned into homes without planning permission.
Last year, 56.6 per cent of new homes in Trafford were office conversions, with 40.9 per cent in Crawley, 37.5 per cent in Harlow, 36.7 per cent in Walsall and 36.3 percent in Luton. This means communities cannot have their say on these conversions to make sure they meet high quality standards, nor is there essential for that developer to supply any affordable housing or supporting infrastructure for example roads, schools and health services, because there could be if planning permission was required.
The LGA is looking for permitted development rights to become scrapped as part of a strengthening from the locally-led planning system. It fears that with office blocks and other types of business premises potentially being left redundant following coronavirus because of a switch to greater home-working and the downturn in the economy, that lots of is going to be acquired by developers to bypass the look system and turn housing.
David Renard, LGA housing spokesperson, said: “There is a real possibility that some office blocks, retail and commercial spaces will stay empty beyond Covid-19 and become converted into housing under permitted development rights, bypassing the local planning system and the voice of local communities, who definitely are hamstrung in their capability to raise any objections or issues.
“We have long had concerns within the substandard housing created from permitted development conversions, and also the lack of any requirement for developers to provide affordable homes or supporting infrastructure. The look system exists to enable the delivery of the mix of high-quality, affordable housing that meets the requirements of local neighborhoods, and gives those communities the chance to shape and define the area they live in.
“Councils are committed to building the housing america desperately needs as part of the national recovery from coronavirus, but we urge the government to safeguard the future quality of recent homes by permanently revoking the permitted development rights for change of usage into homes.”
