Recommendation 9

We support the Government’s aim of revitalising our high streets and town centres, but we are concerned that the new class MA right could undermine attempts to do so. The current requirement that properties need only have been vacant from three months could put viable businesses at risk of being evicted by landlords seeking a profit from residential conversions. This resulting loss of businesses could have a negative effect on footfall. As we heard repeatedly, a viable business will attract more footfall than a residential conversion. We cannot see how footfall will be boosted if high street shops, which serve local workers and visitors, are replaced by flats. That being said, we acknowledge that there may be merit in converting upper Permitted Development Rights 39 floors of properties on the high street. We are also concerned that the protection for ground-floor premises in the prior approval process applies only in conservation areas.