Recent study highlights number of empty properties in region
A growing number of empty and underused buildings across Mid Wales and Shropshire could play a vital role in addressing housing needs, supporting communities and breathing new life into town centres, according to one of the area’s architects.
The discussion has been brought into sharper focus by a recent report from the Bevan Foundation and Shelter Cymru, which examined the potential for bringing empty and underused buildings back into use across Wales.
The report found that more than 22,500 homes in Wales have been vacant for six months or longer. It estimates that between 3,600 and 4,500 of these properties could potentially be returned to use as social housing. The research also highlights the wider opportunity presented by underused commercial and community buildings, suggesting that existing properties could play a much greater role in helping meet housing and regeneration needs.
While the report focuses on Wales, many of the challenges and opportunities it identifies will be familiar to communities across Shropshire and Mid Wales, where vacant buildings can often be found.
Doug Hughes, Managing Director and Principal Architect at Mid Wales and Shrewsbury-based Hughes Architects, believes the findings have significant relevance on both sides of the Wales-England border.
“Across Mid Wales and Shropshire there are vacant buildings sitting at the heart of our towns and communities. Former shops, offices, public buildings and redundant properties often represent missed opportunities.
“While new development will always be important, we should also be looking carefully at the buildings we already have and asking how they can be adapted to meet today’s needs.”
Richard Lewis, Director at Hughes Architects, said the benefits extend far beyond the creation of additional homes.
“When buildings remain empty for long periods they can quickly become a burden for owners and can contribute to the decline of surrounding areas. Bringing them back into use can help support local businesses, attract investment, improve the appearance of town centres and strengthen communities.
“Many older buildings occupy excellent locations within established communities and are already connected to local infrastructure, services and transport networks.”
Doug added that forproperty owners conversion and refurbishment projects can also provide opportunities to unlock value from assets that may no longer be fit for their original purpose.
“As architects, we regularly work with owners who have buildings that have become difficult to maintain or no longer meet modern requirements,” said Doug.
“With the right vision and professional advice, many of these properties can be transformed into viable residential, commercial or mixed use developments that create long term value while preserving the character of the building.”
Richard added: “The conversation should not just be about housing. It’s about regeneration. It’s about keeping buildings alive and ensuring they continue to contribute to the communities around them.
“Whether it’s a former commercial building, a redundant public building or an underused property in a town centre, there are often opportunities that are overlooked.”
The environmental benefits are also significant. Reusing existing buildings reduces the need for demolition and new construction while making use of the materials and resources already invested in a property.
Doug believes that greater collaboration among local authorities, property owners, developers, and communities will be essential to unlocking the potential of existing buildings across the region.
He said that while planning, funding and regulatory challenges remain, there is growing recognition that reusing existing buildings should form an important part of future regeneration strategies in both Wales and England.
Photo by Geoffrey Moffet
