Mixed use development is the way forward

Fortunately the latest planning legislation has removed much of the bureaucracy and controls that were considered outdated and now a much freer and easier planning regime should exist, such that companies should find it easier to obtain planning consents.

This is particularly relevant where economic prosperity needs to stem from mixed use developments, particularly in town centres where large areas of redundant office space now has no user. Present day trend is where possible to work from home from a laptop, so turning office space into residential dwellings, redresses the imbalance that this technological advance has imposed on these now redundant offices.

Not only does this apply to town centres, but also to sites such as the former sugar beet factory, which again is currently being promoted as a mixed use development, intended to attract all types of industry/commerce intermixed with perhaps some residential accommodation. The move towards having people living closer to their work is a good policy, in so far as it enables people to reduce costs of travelling to work and helps make a more sustainable and pleasant living environment. At the same time as producing a greener environment, it is increasing their disposable income and encouraging economic growth.

We were almost going back to the Victorian times and looking at Kidderminster many of the Victorian terraced houses were built by the owners of the carpet factories or developers who could see that there was a need for people to live close to their work. This resulted in a community atmosphere being created. Over the last forty years there has been more of a tendency for people to travel to work, which in the case of this area has meant commuters travelling to the industrial West Midlands, Telford and Worcester as well as commuters travelling further afield to London and beyond.

The idea of mixed use development, some may argue is a welcome change, although the planning legislation which has recently been introduced needs to be tried and tested. The test will be if this legislation creates a mixed use minefield as integrating commercial and industrial uses with residential, needs to be very carefully planned. It is important that a pleasant environment is created for both residential living and working, without residents feeling that they are ‘living on the job’.

In Kidderminster with so many empty shops and space above, introducing residential units above the shops would help to breathe life back into the town centre and mixed use is the only way forward.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here