Fears over office conversion plans

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 29-12-2011

The boss of a UK development agency has called on the Government to stand up to council pressure over its office-to-residential conversions plan.

Malcolm Chumbley said moves outlined in the Budget to exempt conversions from planning permission would give a major boost to the housing industry and those involved in office refurbishment work.

But since George Osborne’s announcement in March, councils have been lobbying to have the plans watered down. Instead of using secondary legislation, which would have forced local authorities to come into line, ministers are reportedly planning to include the proposals in the National Planning Policy Framework.

Mr Chumbley said that backing down in the face of council concerns would "cause a serious dent to much-needed extra housing". Communities Secretary Eric Pickles had claimed the planning change could lead to 250,000 new homes going on the market.

"Plans to bring redundant buildings back into alternative use will now be thwarted and we hear that the proposed relaxation of regulations will form part of the evolving planning policy framework," Mr Chumbley said. "Councils can simply turn a blind eye."

It is understood councils fear the plans could lead to homes being created in areas without residential amenities.

Copyright Press Association 2011