The Buckinghamshire Business First radio show returned from a week off and dove headfirst into one of the most important and contentious issues facing businesses at this time: permitted development. We highly recommend a listen to the podcast for what is a vital business issue that is forcing some businesses to leave the county.

Since 2013 permitted development rights have enabled office space to be converted into new homes without having to apply for planning permission. This has made it easier for landlords to remove businesses from their offices or effectively squeeze them out in order to convert space into a residential property.

Guests on the Mix96 show on Monday included Philippa Batting, Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Business First and two business owners who are suffering as a result of permitted development, Steve Dear, Managing Director of Chiltern Circuits, and Joe Gleeson of Gleeson’s Butchers.

The experiences of two local businesses

Chiltern Circuits

Chiltern Circuits have been told by their landlord that they must move out of their property as it is to be turned into residential space. This has brought up another issue facing business – the lack of suitable office accommodation. As Steve Dear has found, and as Philippa Batting mentioned on the show, there seem to be a decent amount of very small or very large properties, but nothing in between.

Gleeson’s Butchers

Joe Gleeson explained how his business is being squeezed out of their premises by a London property developer who has previously had an application for a change of use turned down.

The demand is there

Buckinghamshire Business First estimates that in the last 18 months or so Buckinghamshire has lost enough office floor space to accommodate 2,500 jobs, including high streets office space, so something has to change for the betterment of businesses.

We know the demand is there as when we opened up our Porter’s Lodge facility in Aylesbury earlier this year which comes with four office spaces for hire, they were snapped up in no time by businesses hungry for a professional office to base themselves.

Have you got a story to tell regarding permitted development rights? Let us know your experiences by calling 01494 927130 or emailing info@bbf.uk.com.

Listen to the Buckinghamshire Business First radio show every Monday at 7pm on Mix96, or download the podcast afterwards.