City Hall, London Assembly’s planning committee, has suggested that the new conversion proposals set by the coalition could dramatically reduce commercial property space in the capital city, reports London 24.
If the new plans go ahead, developer firms will be able to convert disused office space into residential sites without having to grant planning permission. The main aim of the government is to kill two birds with one stone, by dealing with all the empty office space whilst also trying to control house prices from soaring further.
However the City Hall committee has suggested that over a quarter of office space could be lost in London; space which small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) depend upon. This may lead to further stunted growth for the economy. There were further worries that the new home conversions may not be affordable, of a high quality, and doubts on whether the office blocks actually offered the right infrastructure to support new homes.
Other arguments against the scheme include that by removing protections for wharf areas, the Thames in London may end up becoming a “working river”, with high waste levels polluting the area.
Nicky Gavron, chair of the planning committee, said to London 24: “London may have spare office space, but turning business premises into homes is not the answer. The committee heard worrying evidence about the potential impact on jobs and small businesses and there is a real danger these plans could do more harm than good.
“This is an unnecessary and ill-thought through idea which will lead to serious unintended consequences.”
With both the economy and environment at risk here, campaigners are arguing that the coalition should re-consider its proposals.
City Hall includes various representatives from the Federation of Small Businesses.