Foxtons has run into local opposition, including from an independent estate agent, after applying for planning permission to turn a former post office into a new branch.
The move has infuriated residents in West Hampstead, London, because they say it would give the area its 30th property firm.
Foxtons wants to convert the closed post office into its usual café-style outlet.
Estate agent David Matthews, who runs long-standing family-run firm Dutch & Dutch, was instrumental in finding the post office a new home – inside a local church.
Matthews, who sits on the committee of the West Hampstead Business Association, said Foxtons “are the wrong company for the area”. He said the association would be objecting.
He has also asked shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna what he would do about the influx of estate agents who were “decreasing local footfall and artificially inflating prices”.
Matthews told his local paper: “West Hampstead has a very good selection of estate agents, some independent, some family owned, and they work together.
“But Foxtons, unfortunately, bucks that trend. We need retail, we want footfall, and with 29 estate agents already at the last count, who needs a 30th?”
While Foxtons is applying to physically convert premises, were it simply changing the use to an estate agency, under new proposals it would in future not need planning permission.
Not enacted yet, but proposed, premises such as shops and sandwich bars could be used as estate agents without the need to seek planning consent. The proposal is to merge A2 financial and professional services use class – which includes property agents – with A1 retail use class (ie, shops).
Exceptions would be betting and payday loan shops, which would remain in the A2 class. In other words, anyone wanting to set up a betting shop in what is, or was, a fashion boutique would still have to seek planning permission, but an estate agent would not.
The proposals are out for consultation and fall into the in-basket of new housing minister Brandon Lewis, who is also the planning minister.
Below are two links.
The first takes you to the Dutch & Dutch home page, which talks about the local community, including the post office, well ahead of properties. The online video really extols complete love of the local area, while a news story talks about the post office’s new home.
The second link takes you to the full anti-Foxtons story as reported by the local paper.
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2014/aug/backlash-west-hampstead-gets-ready-30th-estate-agent
I am not sure that any agents welcome a new Foxtons office opening nearby – especially with the inevitable 0% commission. Many have found themselves in the exact same situation and have been powerless to act. I am not sure that West Hampstead is a special case any more than Dulwich, Brixton and soon Wapping all of which have more agents than the number of properties seem to support. I agree that local amenities, local shops, footfall etc., are important to preserve in a community, but not anti competition which is the underlying objection of most agents. Good luck with the campaign.
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