Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has announced new measures that will make it easier to turn offices into new homes…
In a bid to provide thousands of new homes, the government is pushing to ensure existing buildings can be used. New measures implemented by Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis will see underused and neglected buildings turned into residential properties.
Lewis said: “We’re determined that, both in Whitehall and in town halls, everything is done to get the homes we need built.
“[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.”
The government introduced temporary measures to help developers utilise office space for homes in 2013. This led to 4,000 conversions between April 2013 and June 2015.
However, the measures are set to expire next year on 30 May, which could prevent these buildings from being utilised after this time.
The decision to make permitted development rights permanent will help with the development of more homes. It will also give those who have permission up to three years to complete the change of use, which will remove any uncertainty for developers.
Additionally, the new rights will also enable demolition of office buildings and new building for residential use, as well as the ability to change industrial buildings and launderettes to new homes.
These measures will undoubtedly be welcomed by developers seeking to change offices into residential units and provides greater certainty for the sector.
