Action to protect key business space
Plans to protect key business and office space in the St Albans District from being converted into flats and houses are to go out for consultation.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring firms that boost the local economy and provide jobs are not pushed out of key business areas.
A considerable number of business premises have been turned into homes in recent years while residential property prices have been rising.
Under recent planning law reforms, owners of business premises can often change their use to residential without planning permission from their District Council. This is known as permitted development.
Now St Albans City and District Council wants to be able to issue Article 4 Directions. That will mean owners in nine designated areas will no longer have these permitted development rights.
Instead, they will have to apply to the Council for planning permission for conversions. With the Council committed to retaining key business properties, they are likely to be refused.
The Article 4 directions will cover change of use from office, light industrial, storage and distribution to residential.
The proposal is going out for consultation for eight weeks from Wednesday 22 March.
Owners of affected properties are being informed by letter and local adverts about the planned direction. They will be asked for their views along with property occupiers and other local businesses.
The Council will consider all representations before deciding whether to go ahead with the initiative.
It can be modified or cancelled by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and cannot come into force until March 22 next year.
St Albans Chamber of Commerce, which represents the local business community, supports the proposal. They are assisting the Council with liaising with interested parties and research.
Councillor Alec Campbell, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Building Control, said: “We know that the reduction in office space is making it harder for businesses to stay, start up or relocate here. It is hindering the City’s
development as a centre for professional services companies.
“The Article 4 Directions will support business, allowing them to thrive and survive, and help the local economy which provides so much for our City.”
David Clarke, President of the St Albans District Chamber of Commerce, said: “We strongly support the Council’s attempts to protect office and business space in key areas of the City.
“Businesses are the bedrock of our local economy, providing jobs, wages and training opportunities. They contribute to the District in many other ways such as helping charities and good causes.
“Pressure on space is one of the main issues affecting local businesses and the fear is that some may be forced out of St Albans if nothing is done to stop premises being converted into flats and houses.”
The Council’s report on the conversions trend can be found here: https://bit.ly/2nkLrrH
Anyone wishing to make a representation during the consultations can do so by emailing: planning.policy@stalbans.gov.uk
The designated areas that are being consulted on for the Article 4 Direction are: Brick Knoll Park, Alban Park-Acrewood Way-Lyon Way, North Orbital Trading Estate, Porters Wood-Soothouse Spring, City Station, City Centre, Abbey Station, all in St Albans; plus Coldharbour Lane and Southdown Industrial Estate, in Harpenden.
Councillor contact:
Cllr Alec Campbell, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Building Control, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 07793 550200 Email: Cllr.A.Campbell@stalbans.gov.uk
Contact for the media:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City District Council
Tel: 01727 296130
E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk