Class Discussion: Use Class E & Airspace Articles

Please find articles below:

- New Use Class Order 2020: Use Class E and the Key Changes Explained

- Part 20: Construction of New Flats in airspace

- Airspace Developments – What do you need to think about?

Relation to Masterplan Proposal:

The first article by Urbanist Architecture discusses how the new changes to the use class orders could allow for owners of struggling shops on the high street to adapt quickly to the changing market. Although we have included a variety of uses in the masterplan, the ability to change use with ease could be beneficial to owners of the shops in the area surrounding, for example, along Wine Street and High Street. This is because our intention is to add food stalls and other independent shops to the site in order to attract visitors. This might draw potential business away from the sellers in St Nicholas' Market and the surrounding area.

Furthermore, the masterplan illustrates how we are proposing to convert the multi-story car park at number 9 into an office/residential building. If this is not feasible, then perhaps the construction of new flats would be possible under permitted development, as stated in the second article by Planning Geek. This could then lead to the car park being for resident or employee use only, rather than being used by the general public seeing as one of our key moves was to decrease the use of personal vehicles on site by introducing a shared space road surface intended for buses, cyclists and pedestrians only.

The third article discusses practical issues such as fire safety and the structural challenges that come with additional storeys. Another reason behind including a mix of uses such as a theatre and night club was to ensure the constant presence of people and therefore an increased feeling of safety. However, this might have a negative impact on any current residents on site and the property values of flats. This is because not many people would want to be living besides a noisy night club.

Thinking about the masterplan in relation to the issues discussed in the articles has given me a better understanding of how important it is to consider the impact a change in use might have on the people living and working in the area.

Group 4 Masterplan Proposal