Converting office blocks will not work as ‘quick fix’ to housing crisis, researcher says

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‘Timing is right for the repurposing of office blocks for residential use,’ says Simon Coveney – but how realistic is this?

She points out, however, that there are obstacles, including a cumbersome regulatory process which will need to be overcome in most instances before repurposing office spaces can even begin.

It is not merely a case of reducing red tape, however, with a delicate balance to be struck between tidying the regulatory processes while also ensuring that there are enough standards and rules in place to maintain the quality of construction.“Mass deregulation and having a free-for-all could be disastrous. We already know what happens with low standard housing and all that goes with that and the knock-on problems which result down the line.

As for the work itself, Dr Hegarty described what the process would look like: “A lot of the new buildings in town would need the changing of their facades to have openable windows and balconies so they would need to be taking off the outside skin.” Some inspiration can be taken from across the Irish Sea, with the UK government having recently passed laws which allow developers to convert commercial and retail buildings into housing without making a full planning application.

 

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