A group of trade bodies have written an open letter calling on prime minister Boris Johnson to reverse legislation laid out this week to allow conversion of almost any commercial building into residential.
The expansion of permitted development rights to allow class E (business and services) conversions was rapidly rolled out this week, with many bemoaning failure to release the consultation and clearly communicate plans with major stakeholders.
The Royal Town Planning Institute, RICS, RIBA and the Chartered Institute of Builders have penned a plea to Johnson to “urgently reconsider the measures”.
The organisations represent more than 175,000 professionals in the built environment.
The letter says: “Nobody can deny there is a looming crisis facing our high streets, but yesterday’s pronouncement will do nothing to help.
“In fact, these measures will pull the rug out from under high street businesses that you have supported throughout unprecedented circumstances. Just as they prepare to reopen with our great unlocking, their future is put in peril.”
The groups argue that without the usual checks and balances the new legislation “risks creating poor-quality housing”.
They add that it is “counterproductive” to commit to reviewing business rates to keep business on the high street “while simultaneously incentivising property owners to push them out”.
Businesses, developers, residents and the built environment sector have all had serious concerns about these proposals from the start,” they write.
The group said the safeguarding measures they put forward have been ignored, with no assessment into how the mechanism could impact communities.
The letter adds: “This announcement fails to consider the public good and demonstrates a lack of any forethought for those who will be affected. This is not only a failure to “level up” but a threat to our local communities.
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