We were interested to read that new permitted development rights which will allow offices to be converted into housing, without the need for planning permission, have been formally announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The new regime will last for three years however, local authorities would be able to seek and exemption if it were to be justified on economic grounds.
The department said that the new rights would provide much needed homes for local people and will make a valuable contribution towards easing the national housing shortage. It would also boost jobs creation in the construction industry and increase footfall in high streets, as well as helping town centre regeneration, which certainly sounds positive in light of recent shifts in retail patterns.
The administration also announced that there would be further reforms to allow agricultural buildings to be converted for other business uses without the need for planning permission…
