Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

In a strong indictment of industrial planning regulations, Tim Matthews at property assets consultancy BK has urged the Government to simplify the rules on change of use and encourage the establishment of new and expanding businesses and investment from overseas companies.

Matthews said: “A large number of industrial units up and down the country are suitable for warehousing, distribution and manufacturing operations. But for the majority of premises in excess of 235 sq metres, planning regulations differentiate between B1 light industrial use, B2 general industrial use and B8 warehousing and distribution.

“As a result, every new occupier whose business activities differ from those of its predecessor has to apply for planning consent to change the use class - a process that can take months. These delays often cause acquisitions to fall through.”

BK is acting for a German firm keen to set up a manufacturing base in the UK. It has more than £750,000 to invest in buying and equipping an industrial unit and create up to 30 jobs.

But because the unit it wants to acquire has consent for light industrial use rather than general industrial, a delay of three months is in prospect.