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Westfield and Land Securities back campaign to let communities use mothballed development sites

A new national campaign to let communities use mothballed development sites is being backed by the country’s biggest developers, including Land Securities and Westfield.

Dinosaurs and allotments are among the first success stories of the Site Life campaign, launched by industry magazine Property Week, which aims to open up sites which have been hit by recession. The British Property Federation (BPF) is pushing its developer members to landscape stalled sites and give them back to the community until they can afford to get building.

While few can blame developers for the fact that financial pressures have put the dampers on hundreds of new schemes, many communities have been angry that city centres have been left derelict and unusable. The ‘Site Life’ campaign will see the property industry foot the bill for short term changes to the sites, provided councils can assure them that planning permission will remain.

With public safety being a key issue – and the developers held responsible for anyone on their site – changes can often be costly. Brownfield sites are rarely flat surfaces or fields that can be treated with a lick of paint or some goal posts. But since commercial developers are focused on long-term engagement with communities, they see the potential gain in comparatively minor investment.

Additionally, with all political parties proposing a greater localization of planning powers, landlords are keen to have a great level of engagement with councils.

Giles Barrie, editor of Property Week, said: “It is vital for the property industry to make best use of empty sites. If it doesn't it risks alienating the public and blighting towns and cities for years to come. Empty buildings must be brought back into use for the benefit of society as a whole.”

Liz Peace, British Property Federation chief executive, said: “This campaign will show that developers care about the local environment and can use their innovation to deal with the challenges brought about by the economic crisis. As well as building relations with communities, this will strengthen ties with local councils by helping them to improve their environments. However, it is absolutely essential that formal agreements are reached over the timescale of interim use changes to ensure developers aren’t left with something they cannot develop once they are able to continue with their plans.”

Case studies and more quotes below

https://www.yousendit.com/download/THE0UGhTeFVOMUN4dnc9PQ

Companies with more examples or members of the public wishing to name or shame a site should email: sitelife@propertyweek.com

Westfield, Bradford, Yorkshire

In Yorkshire, the 10 acre site of Westfield’s stalled £320m Westfield Bradford shopping centre scheme is one site where action will soon be taken.

The council and Westfield are working with local groups to develop proposals such as the creation of grassed areas, which would involve moving back the hoardings surrounding the site. Other ideas are seating, footpaths between the city centre and Little Germany, a wild flower meadow, urban allotments and an area for outdoor theatre performances.

Peter Miller, Westfield’s UK operating officer said: “We are working with the council on how to tidy up the site and make it more presentable. We are looking to find an interim use until the market changes and find a way to take the development forward.” If the council’s proposals are accepted, the site could become a public park or wild meadow. No owner or developer benefits from a redundant eyesore."

Mike Cowlam, Bradford Council's assistant director for regeneration, said: "The council and Westfield share the frustration of local people and businesses about the site standing vacant in the city centre, and are looking at alternative temporary uses. Given the economic climate, it is unrealistic to expect development work to start in the near future, although Westfield and the council remain committed to the scheme. Obviously the area is a construction site and we will need to be sure that the proposals taken forward make the ground safe for everyone."

MEPC’s site Wellington Place in Leeds

MEPC’s chief executive Rick de Blaby has spearheaded the development of allotments, a five-a-side football pitch and beekeeping on MEPC’s site Wellington Place in Leeds and is 100% behind the campaign.

“When you have a deep recession like this, a lot of sites are mothballed. If councils can initiate movement and get widespread collaboration between developers, councils and others, and all parties can take some responsibility to make the town or city look loved and cared for not neglected, that can’t do any harm,” he said.

Land Securities' dinosaurs at Park House on Oxford Street, London

The site is home to 24 life-size animatronic dinosaurs roaming a Jurassic forest as part of the Dinosaurs Unleashed exhibition.

The dinosaurs go at the end of April, and Land Securities chief executive Francis Salway has committed to start development of the site into the new scheme this year as recovery is forecast in the West End property market.

But before that, the temporary use is attracting huge numbers of visitors — 3,000 a day during half-term week — and winning them over.

He said: "This will help show the public that developers care about the local environment."

The success of the exhibition at the Park House site raises concerns that such temporary uses could prove so popular that problems arise when they have to be closed for the development. But surely it is better to be popular, than unpopular?

Colette O'Shea, head of Land Securities' development London portfolio, added: "Making the most of our resources is of paramount importance. While development at Park House was stalled, we wanted to make the best use of the site by providing not only an income stream, but also activity that would promote tourism and footfall to the West End.

"We are pushing ahead with our West End development programme, which means the opportunities we have will be limited, but we are certainly viewing any short-term possibilities with renewed, creative eyes," she says.

John Richards, vice-president of the BPF, says there are several issues but working with councils is key. The former Hammerson chief executive says: “This is an area where councils should be leading and making an immediate effort to solve this problem in partnership with the industry.

"If developers are given a significantly extended time to commence development before planning permissions expire, this will certainly encourage better interim solutions, but only where there is a cast-iron guarantee that ‘interim’ means interim and that a sensible short-term use does not turn into a major economic penalty for a good developer.

“No owner or developer benefits from a redundant eyesore and, while we are keen to promote some great innovative ideas being put forward, we need to be aware that putting these in place is far from black and white.”

The Site Life campaign is not just about empty sites. The UK’s towns and cities are also full of empty buildings, which could be used to host anything from art galleries to performance events.

Central government also has a role. Last year the government launched a £3m fund to bring empty shops back into this type of use in the recession.

The downturn has been horrendous for property, and 2009 was the worst year that many can remember. If our campaign gathers momentum, at least empty sites and buildings can bring some temporary relief to developers and communities, rather than being stark reminders of the recession that has hit the industry so hard.

The campaign also has the backing of London mayor Boris Johnson.

"A strong property and construction industry is crucial in ensuring our city develops and retains the competitive qualities that make it so popular with investors around the world,” he said.

Johnson says the Mayor’s Office and the Greater London Authority were working with developers to kickstart stalled developments and provide affordable housing, but was keen to see temporary uses in the meantime.

"Unfortunately, some sites remain in limbo due to the effects of the recession and this Property Week campaign is a welcome and timely initiative,” says Johnson. “With the full support of the industry, we should shortly see the transformation of abandoned sites across London into new food-growing spaces, art installations and temporary sport facilities, all benefiting the local community."

For more information and all PR and media queries, please contact Andrew Teacher, Head of Media, on 020 7802 0113 or 07968 12 45 45 or ateacher@bpf.org.uk.