In
a bid to simplify the planning system, drive growth and tackle the country’s
acute shortage of housing, Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis
announced new planning measures on 13 October 2015. Redundant offices have
a huge potential to provide much needed new housing and this move is certainly
going to bring smiles to the faces of many first time home buyers, stated Curry
Popeck Solicitors.
First
introduced in 2013, temporary permitted development rights make it possible to
convert offices into homes without having to apply for planning permission. It
led to 4,000 conversions being given the go-ahead between April 2014 and June 2015.
The
rights were due to expire on 30 May 2016, and would have led to bureaucracy
hurdles that would have hampered the conversion of underused office buildings,
thus disheartening many first time home owners. But, ending the uncertainty for
the developers and first time owners, Housing and Planning Minister, Brandon
Lewis, announced that they are to be made permanent.
Mr
Lewis said: “These measures will mean we can tap into the potential of
underused buildings to offer new homes for first-time buyers and families long
into the future, breathing new life into neighbourhoods and at the same time
protecting our precious green belt.”
To
further support the new planning measures and make way for new homes, developers
will be allowed to demolish offices and convert light industrial buildings and
launderettes into homes. Converting
commercial buildings into residential developments can be an attractive
prospect, but there are a few things to consider, mentioned Curry Popeck. The rights to demolish
redundant office buildings and build new residential buildings will be subject
to limitations and prior approval by the local planning authority.Those with prior
approval or who secure permission will have three years to complete the change
of use.
The
new move by the government, which has been welcomed by many first time home
owners, has faced criticism though from big commercial landlords, who say that
converting office buildings into residential spaces would hamper economic
growth and employment opportunities. They further opposed the move by saying
that while they understand that lack of housing is a big problem, commercial
crises is a problem that needs to be addressed too.
While
the changes to the rules encouraging office-to-residential conversions are
temporary and are facing some opposition as well from the commercial landlords,
the government is expected to make them permanent and drop many of the
exemptions.
Please
contact CurryPopeck Solicitors if
you would like more information on the issues raised in this article or any
aspect of planning and development. Curry Popeck, solicitors and mediators, can
provide you with expert legal advice
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