Councils Approve 900 Office-To-Resi Schemes in Three Months

Councils approved nearly half of the applications made in the last quarter to turn redundant office buildings into new homes, new figures reveal. Statistics released by the CLG show that of the 1,900 applications received by local authorities in the last quarter, 900 were approved. Last year, the government relaxed planning rules to allow office space to become homes without planning permission. Read more on Inside Housing.

Developers Must Seek Permission to Turn Offices into Homes

Councillors in Brighton have agreed changes to the planning rules that will require developers to seek permission if they want to change their office space to residential use. The policy and resources committee confirmed an article four direction, which means that developers must obtain planning permission to change the use of their offices to residential space in several areas of Brighton.  The council made the decision following a temporary change in planning law introduced by the Government in May 2013 that removed the need to obtain planning permission for change of use from office space to residential. The council and its leading partners in economic development of the city fear that this could affect the city’s business growth. Read more on the Housing Excellence website.

New Planning Regulation Will Help Create Jobs and Low Cost Homes

Brighton & Hove City Council has introduced measures to protect office space in central Brighton. Councillors have confirmed an article 4 direction which means developers must obtain planning permission to change the use of their offices to residential space. The council made the decision following a temporary change in planning law introduced by the government in May 2013 that has removed the need to obtain planning permission for change of use from office space to residential. The council and their partners in economic development of the city fear that this could affect the city’s business growth. The Council is one of the first in the country to implement an article 4 direction in the city to ensure owners of office buildings still need planning permission. It will also enable the council to negotiate community benefits and affordable housing if change of use is recommended. Read more on the Brighton’s Future website.

Office to Homes Reforms 'Must Be Less Ambiguous'

Change of use reforms need to be made clearer to prevent councils delaying their use, says a real estate advisory firm.  The changes, which came into force in May, allow developers to convert office space into homes without local authority consent.  But Nick Belsten, director of planning at firm CBRE, warned applications could still be hamstrung by obstructive council because of the ‘complex and time limited’ reforms.  He said local authorities might refuse applications to push the developer into going through the appeal process. Read more on Inside Housing.

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.