Office-to-residential PD to be made permanent

Planning and housing minister Brandon Lewis has announced that the temporary office-to-residential permitted development (PD) right, that was due to lapse at the end of May 2016, will be made permanent.

The minister said that, in addition, the new permanent right would allow office buildings to be pulled down and replaced with new residential buildings.

He also confirmed that those who already have permission to convert offices to homes under the temporary PD right will have three years in which to complete the change of use.

In addition, new permitted development rights will enable the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to new homes.

Those areas that are currently exempt from the office to residential permitted development rights will have until May 2019 to make an Article 4 direction if they wish to continue determining planning applications for the change of use.

The rights to allow for demolition of offices and new build as residential use will be subject to limitations and prior approval by the local planning authority. Further details are to be provided in due course.

The new permitted development rights for the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to residential use will be subject to prior approval by the local planning authority. Further details are promised.

Please contact Gordon Ellis is you would like to discuss how this may benefit your property.