BPF welcomes offices-to-homes proposal
The British Property Federation has responded positively to the government’s proposals to introduce new permitted development rights to convert office space into residential property without requiring planning permission. It says the move will boost housing supply and bring vacant property back into use.
Secretary of State Eric Pickles last week said the plans would go ahead following consultation last year. BPF director of policy Ian Fletcher said the move was “an extremely welcome step” given the acute housing shortage. The new permitted development rights allow change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 residential.
“Office to residential conversions won’t work for all buildings, or in every area, but any trip through our suburbs soon exposes redundant office space that with the best will in the world is never going to be brought back into commercial use,” Ian Fletcher noted. “Such conversions will be good for those seeking homes, the wider community and local authorities, who will gain from the New Homes Bonus and council tax receipts that occupation generates.”
“However, will need to see further detail on how ‘local exceptions’ schemes will work. Any exemptions should be few and far between, and this aspect will need to be tightly drawn and policed if it is not to undermine the overall policy objective.”
