Permitted development rights here to stay

Despite industry fears of diminishing office stocks, the Government has announced that temporary permitted development rights - allowing the conversion of offices into homes - are here to stay, says commercial property agent Prop-Search. 

Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has now confirmed that permitted development rights, first introduced in 2013, enabling a change of use from Class B1 (a) offices to Class C3 residential dwellings - without the need to go through the full planning process - will be made permanent.  These rights had been set to expire on 30 May 2016.

Samantha Jones, as Associate Surveyor at Prop-Search, said: “When first introduced, permitted development rights had been intended to stimulate the residential market by increasing the housing supply and bringing life back into neighbourhoods blighted by a glut of empty buildings, which may have otherwise reached the end of their economic life.  However, in certain areas this appears to have created a dire shortage of office space, with many occupier requirements going unsatisfied.”

She added: “Earlier this year the Government was warned to tread cautiously when considering extending this legislation.  This came after research from the British Council for Offices showed that in England during 2014 alone, some 603,000 sq ft of office space was converted to residential.”

To further support the Government’s ambitions of one million homes by 2020, the rights will in future also allow the demolition of office buildings and new build as residential use, but subject to limitations and prior approval by the local planning authority.  Prior approval will also be requirement for the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to residential

Samantha Jones concludes: “Currently, 17 areas are exempt from the office to permitted development right introduced in 2013, particularly in and around London.  These councils now have until May 2019 to invoke an Article 4 direction which revokes the permitted development right, meaning that developers would have to submit a full planning application.”

Councils have the ability to issue an Article 4 direction when the character of an area of acknowledged importance is threatened.  This is particularly common in conservation areas.

Further information or advice can be obtained from Prop-Search - Tel: 01933 223300 / 01604 492000 or its website: www.prop-search.com