This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2013/feb/22/homes-policy-may-price-out-artists

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Artists warn Pickles' homes policy may price them out of their studios Artists warn Pickles' homes policy may price them out of their studios
(7 months later)
The head of one of the most important collections of modern British art has warned that changes to planning rules affecting studio space threaten the dynamism of the nation's grassroots creative industries.The head of one of the most important collections of modern British art has warned that changes to planning rules affecting studio space threaten the dynamism of the nation's grassroots creative industries.
Caroline Douglas, head of the £100m Arts Council Collection, which has bought early works by artists including David Hockney, Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst, said a new government policy to allow landlords to transform workshops into homes without consent could price out poorer people from the creative industries, and threatens to undermine economically productive sectors.Caroline Douglas, head of the £100m Arts Council Collection, which has bought early works by artists including David Hockney, Anish Kapoor and Damien Hirst, said a new government policy to allow landlords to transform workshops into homes without consent could price out poorer people from the creative industries, and threatens to undermine economically productive sectors.
IT entrepreneurs working in an east London area earmarked for £50m investment by David Cameron, explicitly to encourage start-ups, this week launched a campaign against the change, which they warn will undermine budding businesses.IT entrepreneurs working in an east London area earmarked for £50m investment by David Cameron, explicitly to encourage start-ups, this week launched a campaign against the change, which they warn will undermine budding businesses.
Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, has told office owners in England and Wales they no longer need to apply for permission to turn their properties into homes, as part of efforts to tackle the national housing shortage. The move has been welcomed by developers, who can sell flats for up to three times as much as office space, especially since the start of the recession. One office in 10 in Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff lies empty, rising to as much as 17% in Birmingham, according to data for the past three months of 2012 from property agents Jones Lang LaSalle.Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, has told office owners in England and Wales they no longer need to apply for permission to turn their properties into homes, as part of efforts to tackle the national housing shortage. The move has been welcomed by developers, who can sell flats for up to three times as much as office space, especially since the start of the recession. One office in 10 in Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff lies empty, rising to as much as 17% in Birmingham, according to data for the past three months of 2012 from property agents Jones Lang LaSalle.
The policy applies to occupied buildings, so artists, designers, textile workers and new media firms now fear they could be forced out of colonies of cheap workspace. "The concentration of artists that we see in certain parts of the UK, which creates a dynamic and vibrant scene, is threatened by this," said Douglas. "Having affordable space is critical to maintaining the creative economy and allows a more varied group to get involved.The policy applies to occupied buildings, so artists, designers, textile workers and new media firms now fear they could be forced out of colonies of cheap workspace. "The concentration of artists that we see in certain parts of the UK, which creates a dynamic and vibrant scene, is threatened by this," said Douglas. "Having affordable space is critical to maintaining the creative economy and allows a more varied group to get involved.
"Pushing people out of affordable space risks narrowing access to only those with the means.""Pushing people out of affordable space risks narrowing access to only those with the means."
At least 15 local authorities are challenging the policy, which could result in large windfalls for building owners.At least 15 local authorities are challenging the policy, which could result in large windfalls for building owners.
One developer told the Guardian that a London office property that now sells for £300 per sq ft could fetch up to £1,000 per sq ft as housing. "It is only the planning policy that is keeping the workplaces there," said Chris Brown, director of Igloo Regeneration, a property company.One developer told the Guardian that a London office property that now sells for £300 per sq ft could fetch up to £1,000 per sq ft as housing. "It is only the planning policy that is keeping the workplaces there," said Chris Brown, director of Igloo Regeneration, a property company.
Manchester city council is seeking an exemption, because losing office space could "weaken the city's economy and threaten its ability to function effectively in the future".Manchester city council is seeking an exemption, because losing office space could "weaken the city's economy and threaten its ability to function effectively in the future".
Norwich, the Peak District National Park Authority and some London boroughs, including Hackney, Southwark, Islington and Merton, are also demanding exemptions, according to a survey by the magazine Planning. The London mayor, Boris Johnson, wants exemption for the capital's centre.Norwich, the Peak District National Park Authority and some London boroughs, including Hackney, Southwark, Islington and Merton, are also demanding exemptions, according to a survey by the magazine Planning. The London mayor, Boris Johnson, wants exemption for the capital's centre.
New media entrepreneurs near the Old Street roundabout in east London this week complained that Pickles' policy threatened the businesses the prime minister has said he wants to encourage as part of a "tech city" to rival California's Silicon Valley.New media entrepreneurs near the Old Street roundabout in east London this week complained that Pickles' policy threatened the businesses the prime minister has said he wants to encourage as part of a "tech city" to rival California's Silicon Valley.
Councils had until yesterday to make their case, which will be accepted only if the policy causes the loss of a "nationally significant area of economic activity" or where "substantial adverse economic consequences ... are not offset by the positive benefits".Councils had until yesterday to make their case, which will be accepted only if the policy causes the loss of a "nationally significant area of economic activity" or where "substantial adverse economic consequences ... are not offset by the positive benefits".
Space, a charity that sublets space to 700 people in the creative industries in 17 buildings across London, said some landlords had already indicated a determination to terminate leases early and convert buildings to housing.Space, a charity that sublets space to 700 people in the creative industries in 17 buildings across London, said some landlords had already indicated a determination to terminate leases early and convert buildings to housing.
The charity was founded by artists including Bridget Riley, and Turner prizewinner Mark Wallinger is among its tenants. At its honeycomb of studios in Hackney, artists and entrepreneurs voiced concern.The charity was founded by artists including Bridget Riley, and Turner prizewinner Mark Wallinger is among its tenants. At its honeycomb of studios in Hackney, artists and entrepreneurs voiced concern.
"The creative industries are a huge employer in London now and it is an area that requires a lot of nurturing to get people to the top level," said Bill Bragg, 37, a book illustrator and artist who pays £175 a month for his space. "If I lost this studio, I am not sure where I would go. It feels as if we are priced out of where we live and the studio rents are going up around us.""The creative industries are a huge employer in London now and it is an area that requires a lot of nurturing to get people to the top level," said Bill Bragg, 37, a book illustrator and artist who pays £175 a month for his space. "If I lost this studio, I am not sure where I would go. It feels as if we are priced out of where we live and the studio rents are going up around us."
"It's all about the money in London," said Hugh Mendes, 55, a painter. "All people want to invest in is property, and people who need property can't afford it and that includes artists. If this did help solve the housing crisis, it wouldn't be so bad, but I don't believe it will.""It's all about the money in London," said Hugh Mendes, 55, a painter. "All people want to invest in is property, and people who need property can't afford it and that includes artists. If this did help solve the housing crisis, it wouldn't be so bad, but I don't believe it will."
Anna Harding, chief executive of Space, said: "It also leaves local authorities with no leverage to protect employment."Anna Harding, chief executive of Space, said: "It also leaves local authorities with no leverage to protect employment."
In a statement to parliament, Pickles said the policy, which comes into effect this spring, would "make a valuable contribution to easing our national housing shortage", "[bring] underused offices back into effective use" and "help create jobs and help regenerate our town centres and former commercial areas". "These new homes will bring a greater resident population to our high streets, increasing footfall and supporting local shops."In a statement to parliament, Pickles said the policy, which comes into effect this spring, would "make a valuable contribution to easing our national housing shortage", "[bring] underused offices back into effective use" and "help create jobs and help regenerate our town centres and former commercial areas". "These new homes will bring a greater resident population to our high streets, increasing footfall and supporting local shops."
Jules Pipe, Hackney's elected mayor, said the policy could tear his borough's creative cluster apart, "almost as soon as it has put down roots, and could have a huge impact on local jobs". He said it risked "turning the borough into a dormitory village full of luxury apartments that do nothing to tackle the affordable housing crisis".Jules Pipe, Hackney's elected mayor, said the policy could tear his borough's creative cluster apart, "almost as soon as it has put down roots, and could have a huge impact on local jobs". He said it risked "turning the borough into a dormitory village full of luxury apartments that do nothing to tackle the affordable housing crisis".
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.