More shops being turned into homes (From York Press)
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More shops being turned into homes
9:18am Friday 15th June 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, Political Reporter
SCHEMES which saw shops in York turned into flats and houses more than doubled last year - and more small business sites could be in line for changes.
Figures from City of York Council have shown 11 planning applications to convert retail premises into homes were approved by the authority during 2011/12, more than the combined total for the previous two years.
Some of the schemes involved part of the building remaining as a shop or available to be used for that purpose, while other sections of the site - often the first floor - became living accommodation, but others have seen the entire business become a house or flat.
In recent weeks, three new “change of use” applications have been submitted to the council, with business organisations saying the need for their owners to pay empty-building rates if a retail establishment closes could be contributing to the increased number of schemes.
Recent applications have been made for a vacant shop in Boroughbridge Road and a butcher’s business in York Street, Dunnington, to become houses, and a change of use from “retail” to “residential” at a newsagents shop on Bishopthorpe Road.
Permission for similar conversions is also being sought for shops in Burton Stone Lane, Haxby Road and Blossom Street.
The council approved four such applications in both 2008/09 and 2009/10 and five in 2010/11, but the total reached double figures last year.
Planning policy states applications which lead to the loss of a “local or village shop” can only be given the go-ahead if “a local need for the shopping facility no longer exists” or there are alternative businesses in the area.
Katie Stewart, the authority’s head of economic development, said: “Our figures for registered business-rated properties reflects our position as the third fastest-growing city in the UK and we have seen a fall in empty business premises since this time last year.
“We are committed to supporting the future of our city’s economy, and remaining competitive by adapting to market challenges and opportunities is key to any business’ survival.”
Simon Williams, regional chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said converting retail premises to houses was sometimes the “only option” for property owners who would otherwise have to make empty-building rate payments.
“We believe this system needs looking at as it is hitting individual traders and proving to be a big problem for some of them,” he said.
Comments(12)
newscritic
says...
10:28am Fri 15 Jun 12
ReginaldBiscuit wrote:ONly partly because if all local shops and business closed down housing areas would become hard to live in as people would need to pop in cars to shop and do business rather than walk locally.
Big plus this but still a token gesture.
It is the whole way in which business is supported that needs looking at in particular business rates and wholesale buying.
again
says...
10:50am Fri 15 Jun 12
Wints71
says...
2:36pm Fri 15 Jun 12
meme
says...
2:40pm Fri 15 Jun 12
1 Insisting on the loss of employment arguement
2 Stop charging per bed for educational/public open space/highways/bus stop contributions ie hidden taxes
3 Take a realistic view on affordable quotas
Then we may get somewhere
greenmonkey
says...
2:50pm Fri 15 Jun 12
meme
says...
3:27pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Great to pay taxes when money is made but it may have come to your attention hardly any homes are being built because this Council has squeezed the pips too hard and now developers are not building
I thought we paid central taxes to cover these things anyway?
Perhaps they just pay politicians wages and expenses claims
Even AndyD
says...
5:24pm Fri 15 Jun 12
But what is the answer? People vote with their feet and wallets. Do you stop Tesco offering cheaper products than local stores or what? Its okay blaming the Council, or planning, or Tesco, or anything else. But at the end of the day, its use 'em or lose 'em. Choice is in our hands and as such, we take responsibility for the outcomes.
Frodo Baggins
says...
6:03pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Even AndyD wrote:You missed out that Front St has become full of chavs making it an unpleasant place to shop. I avoid it like the plague.
Been happening a long time - pubs, small shops etc are slowly disappearing. Acomb in particular is a sorry sight at the moment, with Front St full of betting shops, charity shops and little else. I was brought up round there and find it sad to see.
But what is the answer? People vote with their feet and wallets. Do you stop Tesco offering cheaper products than local stores or what? Its okay blaming the Council, or planning, or Tesco, or anything else. But at the end of the day, its use 'em or lose 'em. Choice is in our hands and as such, we take responsibility for the outcomes.
Rockmamma
says...
6:57pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Frodo Baggins wrote:Up until recently I also worked in Acomb and often found the the 'little old dears' to be far nastier and ruder than the teens. And the amount of shoplifting from the pensioners was unreal! xXx
Even AndyD wrote:You missed out that Front St has become full of chavs making it an unpleasant place to shop. I avoid it like the plague.
Been happening a long time - pubs, small shops etc are slowly disappearing. Acomb in particular is a sorry sight at the moment, with Front St full of betting shops, charity shops and little else. I was brought up round there and find it sad to see.
But what is the answer? People vote with their feet and wallets. Do you stop Tesco offering cheaper products than local stores or what? Its okay blaming the Council, or planning, or Tesco, or anything else. But at the end of the day, its use 'em or lose 'em. Choice is in our hands and as such, we take responsibility for the outcomes.
arglemcgee
says...
8:36pm Fri 15 Jun 12
Even AndyD wrote:I suppose it's all what you notice. To me Front Street is full of banks, bakers and hairdressers. But seriously, there's also a greengrocer, Barnitt's, Boots, Farm Foods, Superdrug and quite a few other shops. Acomb has by far the most local shops of anywhere in York. But very true that it needs an aesthetic refresh. The new outdoor seating area of Thomas's helps a little.
Been happening a long time - pubs, small shops etc are slowly disappearing. Acomb in particular is a sorry sight at the moment, with Front St full of betting shops, charity shops and little else. I was brought up round there and find it sad to see.
But what is the answer? People vote with their feet and wallets. Do you stop Tesco offering cheaper products than local stores or what? Its okay blaming the Council, or planning, or Tesco, or anything else. But at the end of the day, its use 'em or lose 'em. Choice is in our hands and as such, we take responsibility for the outcomes.
3.8liter
says...
4:10pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Rockmamma wrote:Yes, horrible place to go shopping Acomb! Even considering the free parking.
Frodo Baggins wrote:Up until recently I also worked in Acomb and often found the the 'little old dears' to be far nastier and ruder than the teens. And the amount of shoplifting from the pensioners was unreal! xXx
Even AndyD wrote:You missed out that Front St has become full of chavs making it an unpleasant place to shop. I avoid it like the plague.
Been happening a long time - pubs, small shops etc are slowly disappearing. Acomb in particular is a sorry sight at the moment, with Front St full of betting shops, charity shops and little else. I was brought up round there and find it sad to see.
But what is the answer? People vote with their feet and wallets. Do you stop Tesco offering cheaper products than local stores or what? Its okay blaming the Council, or planning, or Tesco, or anything else. But at the end of the day, its use 'em or lose 'em. Choice is in our hands and as such, we take responsibility for the outcomes.
I also avoid it like the plague. I go to Clifton Moor or Monks's Cross.
Takes longer, costs more in petrol, but far less chavs and peasants. Well worth the extra costs.
ReginaldBiscuit says...
10:06am Fri 15 Jun 12