CWAC moves to protect business parks from resi conversions

Cheshire West and Chester Council wants more control over what kind of development comes forward at Chester Business Park, Sealand Industrial Estate, and Gadbrook Park.

The local authority wants to implement Article 4 Directions to cover the three employment locations, which together provide 1.57m sq ft of employment space and support more than 6,500 jobs.

The Article 4 would remove permitted development rights for office-to-residential conversions, forcing developers to apply for planning permission, thus affording the local council a degree of control.

CWAC’s concern is that low commercial capital values coupled with high demand for housing could tempt some landlords to explore office-to-resi conversions that would result in the loss of workspace.

Indeed, this has already happened at Gadbrook Park in Northwich, where the Octagon House office building is to be converted into 66 flats under permitted development rights.

A report to the council’s cabinet to be discussed this week states that residential development in these strategic employment locations could result in “wholly unacceptable adverse impacts for local businesses and limit new investment opportunities”.

“There is also the need to ensure residential development is delivered in a way that builds cohesive communities and meets the required space standards for residential development,” the report adds.

If approved by cabinet on Thursday, the Article 4 would come into force in 12 months.

A similar Article 4 exists in Manchester city centre, where developers must seek planning permission for residential conversions across the whole of the city centre.

Iceni has supported Cheshire West and Chester Council in creating an evidence base for the Article 4 Directions.