Underused Office Blocks Offer 'Thousands More Homes'

Measures put to parliament clear the way for thousands of new homes in underused office blocks. The measures make planning flexibilities allowing such conversions permanent from next month. The government pitches the move as helping provide thousands more homes.  However, at the National Housing Federation’s Land and Planning conference, office to residential developments were criticised.  Due to the increase in land value due to it being a residential plot of land, it makes building ‘affordable’ housing near impossible.  Most sites would be unviable for developers to include ‘affordable’ homes. Read more on 24dash.

Government Cuts Office-To-Flats Plan By 150,000

The government has slashed the number of homes it believes can be provided by turning office blocks into housing.  The CLG confirmed this week that it anticipated 100,000 homes will be provided through its change of use scheme, which will allow developers to convert office space into homes without planning permission. This is a major reduction from the previous estimate of 250,000 homes suggested by communities secretary Eric Pickles in April 2011.  Read more on the CLG website.

Plans To Convert Empty Office Space into Housing

The planning minister, Nick Boles, will reveal plans to allow the conversion of empty office blocks into flats without planning permission. The Government intends to allow developers to avoid long-winded and costly planning procedures in an effort to increase the housing supply. The plans, known as 'permitted development rights', will not include the City of London. Shops and warehouses across the country will also be excluded from the plans.  Read more on 24dash.