Planning changes, which will allow empty offices to be converted into new housing without the need for planning permission, are a step in the right direction, according to Brett Williams of agents CPBigwood.
Mr Williams, a partner in the residential service charge department, said the Government announcement would benefit Birmingham and other major cities.
He stressed: “Birmingham has got top class office developments of which everyone is proud but at the other extreme it also has a considerable amount of run-down and unused stock, some of it in a dreadful condition.
“Some properties are not up to today’s requirements, perhaps in the wrong place as a result of shifting commercial priorities, and are frankly unlikely ever to be let again.
“Examples are all over –just take a walk around Digbeth and parts of central Birmingham.. There has been successful residential conversion but this move by the Government will remove one barrier.
“People want to live in the City now, near to where they work and these conversions are ideal. There are former commercial buildings now in residential use on Paradise Circus, Bennetts Hill, Corporation Street and of course our beloved Rotunda on New Street. This applies throughout the country’s major cities.
“It seems a dreadful waste and represents a blot on society when there is such a desperate need for new homes. I believe this is a courageous experiment by the Government,” he said.
Unveiled by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, it allows change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential, something Mr Pickles claimed would boost local housing supply, create jobs in the construction industry and regenerate town centres.
The permitted development right will exist for three years.
Local authorities can seek an exemption if they can demonstrate that there would be “substantial adverse economic consequences” to converting the office space.
Mr Williams noted: “I can understand that in some circumstances there could be a legitimate concern about the ability of a city to generate economic growth if swathes of offices went, however sub-standard.
“But I think this would be most unlikely to happen in practice. Left to the market, and with the right incentives, developers would step up to the mark and replenish the office supply where needed, producing a new quality offer to meet today’s expectations, while also looking to regenerate old, redundant office buildings for flats and apartments. This will also assist with the housing need requirements and help with the sensitive issue of green field development.
“And certainly a firm like CPBigwood, which handles both residential and commercial, agency and property management, as well as being experienced in selling sites for new usage, would relish the opportunities this would create.
“It will be fascinating to see how the industry responds.”
