The widespread conversion of offices to homes under
Government changes to planning rules are harming London's town centres,
creating substandard housing and undermining jobs and growth, councils have
warned. The Coalition introduced permitted development rights in May 2013 to
allow empty and underused office space to be converted into housing without the
need for planning permission. London Councils, which represents the capital's
33 local authorities, believes permitted development rights have created a
"free-for-all" which has undermined the viability of town centres by
draining away commercial property. At the same time, they have removed
councils' ability to demand that schemes include affordable housing for local
people. Between May 2013 and April 2015, London boroughs received at least
2,639 office-to-residential prior approval applications. Read more on the
Housing Excellence website.
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