By Joey Gardiner 2021-02-11T10:13:00+00:00
Groups representing architects, planners and retailers write to housing secretary over radical permitted development plan
A coalition of nearly 30 groups representing high street shops, property developers and planners have written to housing secretary Robert Jenrick urging him to abandon plans for an “uncontrolled” expansion of residential conversions.
Signatories to the letter, which include RIBA president Alan Jones, the British Property Federation, the Association of Town and City Management, the British Independent Retailers Association, the Royal Town Planning Institute and the RICS, said the planned introduction of a blanket permitted development right to convert high streets to homes would create a “vicious circle” threatening the long-term health of town centres.
In a letter seen by The Times, organisations including the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) argue that the proposed policy “risks putting
Plans for blanket permitted development rights to allow commercial buildings to be converted to residential accommodation will sound the death knell for town centres, according to retail trade bodies. The groups – including the Association of Convenience Stores, the British Independent Retailers Association, and the NFRN - have written a letter to the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government Robert Jenrick urging him to re-evaluate the proposal. ACS chief executive, James Lowman,
Tesco has called for a 1% online sales tax to be slapped on digital retail giants such as Amazon ahead of the spring Budget.
It comes as bosses at UK supermarkets, high street chains and retail property owners call on the Chancellor for an overhaul of the current tax system to put them on a “level playing field” with online rivals.
Tesco boss Ken Murphy is among 18 bosses to sign a letter to Rishi Sunak calling for a permanent reduction in business rates in the March 3 Budget.
Retailers, leisure and hospitality firms have not had to pay rates for the current financial year after the Government launched a rates holiday at the onset of the pandemic.
The chancellor must use the Budget on 3 March to commit to reducing the burden on bricks and mortar shops, according to a letter signed by 18 retail leaders