AT GROUND LEVEL
With the time saved from utilising data to source ownership and planning information , the whole sector will benefit from improved productivity .
require planning permission , thus making development easier .
For example , a business owner could turn their office into a gym , then into a shop and then revert to an office , all without having to obtain planning permission ( subject to site specifics ) allowing property owners more freedom to adapt to public demand free from time-constraints and red tape .
Furthermore , in 2021 , Class MA was introduced . Replacing Class O ( office to residential ) and Class M ( retail to residential ) allows a change of use from Class E to residential , subject to prior approval , thereby providing more opportunities for residential developers , particularly amid a housing crisis . The Government has also scrapped the previous 1,500 square metre limit and the requirement for a building to be vacant for three months before submission , further enhancing processes for property owners and developers .
Tools for success
These planning updates have revealed a greater need for digital tools . Acquiring sites within specific class uses , in sizes and at locations that have specific planning policies is challenging . Locating specific planning policies and then finding buildings that fall within those areas , makes acquisition particularly time-consuming and potentially expensive .
Technology in the sector has therefore become a vital element in making it far quicker and easier to unlock this data . Digital mapping tool Nimbus , for example , enables users to view planning policy for any building just by clicking on the site . It can also provide a snapshot of the financial viability of a building for both commercial or residential uses ; a huge benefit to
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