Office-to-resi changes made permanent

Changes to permitted development rights enabling offices to be converted in to residential dwellings are to be made permanent, as part of a wider package of Government measures to address the housing crisis the Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has announced. In moves unveiled under the Housing and Planning Bill, the temporary change introduced in 2013 and due to expire on 30th May 2016 will become permanent after 4,000 conversions were given the go-ahead between April 2014 and June this year. The Housing Minister made clear that the new permitted development rights will also permit the demolition of office buildings and new buildings for residential use as well as enabling the change of use of light industrial buildings and laundrettes to new homes. Furthermore, those who already have permission will have three years in which to complete the conversion that will end the “potential uncertainty for developers” caused by the current regime. The rights will, however, be subject to limitations and prior approval by the Local Planning Authority, full details of which are yet to be provided. Planning specialists at Daniel Watney LLP have welcomed the move designed to give housebuilding a boost, but added that it wants to…

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