Investing in property ethically and exploring the positive side of planning

You may have heard about the recent proposal by Michael Gove and the levelling-up secretary to relax property laws. They suggest converting empty retail premises in city centres into homes, instead of building in the countryside. This comes as the UK is struggling to build enough homes, with a housing crisis that's worsening each year, with earlier this year seeing record numbers of households facing homelessness.

Gove's idea is to build denser cities to create more walkable communities and reduce commuting times. However, critics fear that this is an easy option for the government to win over rural voters. The Prime Minister promises not to "concrete over the countryside," but to build homes where there is local support and the most need in urban areas.

Despite the potential benefits of this proposal, it's vital to ensure that low-quality and unsafe housing doesn't become the ordinary. Shelter's Polly Neate warns that converting takeaways into homes may overlook Grenfell disaster and fire safety regulations.

However, this proposal also presents an opportunity for ethical property developers to create 21st-century homes for 21st-century living. City-centre living is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among younger generations. For example, in Manchester and Liverpool, regeneration projects have led to the creation of new communities and businesses for residents and visitors, such as Liverpool Waters. This expansion in residential development has led to new shops and businesses, creating a 24/7 culture to meet the demands of city centre residents.

To be successful, ethical property development must address sustainability concerns and alleviate fears of high-rise living post-Grenfell. Developers must cater to the needs of the younger generation, who are often most concerned with sustainability issues, but also the older generations, as retirement developments and renting in the city are becoming increasingly popular among the over-60s.

It's crucial to focus on re-generating underdeveloped areas in cities and learning from past mistakes, such as the ill-conceived design and construction of the Hulme estate in Manchester. Government policy supporting ethical property development can create buzzing communities, reduce crime, and boost civic pride.

Overall, ethical property development has the potential to create a cleaner, greener future for everyone. The demand for such development in our city centres remains, and now, backed by government policy, it's time to rise to the challenge and build communities that meet the needs of all.