Repurposing Empty Shops for Residential Use: A Potential Solution to the Housing Crisis

The housing crisis has been a persistent issue in many parts of the world, including the United Kingdom. The shortage of affordable housing has been a major concern for governments and policymakers, leading to the exploration of various solutions to address the issue. One such solution that has gained traction is the repurposing of empty shops for residential use. This approach, which involves converting commercial buildings into homes without the need for planning permission, has been proposed by the UK government as a means of increasing the housing supply.

Michael Gove, the UK’s housing secretary, is expected to announce an extension of the law that allows commercial buildings to be turned into homes without planning permission to include shops and offices of any size. The proposed amendments to planning law will still require buildings to be safe, uphold good standards of living space, and have natural light. The focus will be on brownfield sites to limit development sprawling out to the outskirts of villages.

The idea of repurposing empty shops for residential use is not new. In July 2021, Mr. Gove had already flagged that his department was working on relaxing planning rules. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities believes that this approach will allow “tens of thousands of new homes” to be built. The government’s target is to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, and at least a million more homes by the end of this Parliament.

However, critics have previously warned that such conversions can result in the creation of poor-quality homes. In its 2019 manifesto, the Conservative government pledged to build 300,000 homes a year by the mid-2020s, but the figures for 2021-22 and 2022-23 were just under 235,000 a year. Labour’s deputy leader and shadow housing secretary, Angela Rayner, has criticized the government’s plans, stating that the number of new homes approved on brownfield sites has halved since the Tories came to power.

Despite these concerns, the potential benefits of repurposing empty shops for residential use are significant. For one, it can help revitalize high streets and town centers, which have been struggling due to the shift towards online shopping. By converting empty shops into homes, foot traffic is increased, which can lead to the creation of new businesses and a more vibrant local economy.

Moreover, repurposing empty shops for residential use can help address the housing crisis by increasing the housing supply. According to the UK government, there are approximately 1,200 empty shops in England, which, if converted into homes, could provide accommodation for around 6,000 people. This approach can also help reduce the need for new developments on greenfield sites, which can have negative environmental impacts.

Furthermore, repurposing empty shops for residential use can be a cost-effective solution to the housing crisis. The cost of converting a shop into a home is generally lower than the cost of building a new home from scratch. This can make housing more affordable for people, particularly those on lower incomes.

However, it is essential to ensure that the conversions are done safely and to a high standard. This can be achieved by implementing strict regulations and guidelines for the conversion process. For instance, buildings must be structurally sound, have adequate natural light, and meet the required living space standards.

In conclusion, repurposing empty shops for residential use is a potential solution to the housing crisis in the United Kingdom. It can help address the shortage of affordable housing, revitalize high streets and town centers, and reduce the need for new developments on greenfield sites. However, it is crucial to ensure that the conversions are done safely and to a high standard to provide decent living conditions for residents. With the proposed relaxation of planning laws, this approach could become a significant contributor to the UK’s housing supply in the coming years.