BFLNov.08 18/11/08 5:18 pm Page 17
property
Obsolete markets, Government has continued with Change of use
Prior to the new legislation empty this legislation even though it is plainly A car showroom is considered sui generis,
commercial properties paid half of the causing hardship, especially in the regions. in a use class of its own. So to attract any
rates due after a three month exemption King Sturge has an example where they retail interest a change of use is required.
period, they now pay full rates after a three are instructed by the owner, a private This has revealed a problem as the Council
month exemption period. individual not a large fund, of a car won't grant a change of use as it fails their
For industrial properties the news is showroom that Bentley had occupied until sequential tests. Tesco have a similar
worse, previously they had been exempt last year. The showroom was built in planning issue nearby proceeding to the
from rates whilst empty but now pay full 1930s and not particularly suited to the House of Lords so there is little prospect of
rates after a six month exemption period. motor trade although it is situated close to a successful application on a planning front
The legislation did not cover what would other car dealers in Greater Manchester until that is sorted, which could be years.
happen in the event that your property and located on one of the main The client is a private individual who can’t
was obsolete, or that every feasible thoroughfares into the city. It has only a afford to wait that long and incur a rate
attempt to let or sell had been explored very small outside display area which was liability of around £55,000 a year.
but to no avail. ideal for Bentley but not for anybody else Ideally the client would like to bring the
So at a time when half a trillion pounds and particularly not the second hand property back into use as per Government
are being pumped into the financial sector trade. The showroom is best suited for a intentions but no one in the trade wants it
to install confidence to the financial retail use. as it is not suitable to be reoccupied as a
led to financial hardship
November 2008 building forleisure 17
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