Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Paragraph: 62
We support the Government’s aim of revitalising our high streets and town centres, but we...
Conclusion
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.
Paragraph Reference:
62
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The 2020 Supporting housing delivery and public service infrastructure1 consultation document set the proposed right in the broader context of changes to the high street: changing consumer behavior, including the move to online shopping and structural changes that has led to a decline in retail units in town centers in England. The resulting Class MA permitted development right supports thriving high streets where people live, shop, and spend their leisure time and prevents premises being left empty. Whether a premises chooses to seek to change use is influenced by a number of factors, including the owners view of the long-term viability of the business and rental returns. To prevent gaming, the building must have been in Commercial, Business and Service use class for two years before benefiting from the right. Where high streets are in conservation areas, an additional prior approval applies allowing for local consideration of the impact of the change of use of the ground floor on the character or sustainability of that conservation area. To go beyond this would make the process more onerous for applicants in respect of the requirements to be met and the information to be provided, and for local planning authorities in the demands placed on them to determine the application for prior approval.