Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis has officially announced that permitted development rights are to be made permanent.
The rights, which were originally introduced in 2013 as a temporary measure to allow offices to be converted without the need for planning permission, were due to expire on May 30 2016.
The government said the move will provide thousands of new homes and make best use of buildings that are underused and neglected.
Brandon Lewis said: “Today’s measures will mean we can tap into the potential of underused buildings to offer new homes for first-time buyers and families long into the future, breathing new life into neighbourhoods and at the same time protecting our precious green belt.”
Ahead of today’s announcement, Development Finance Today interviewed several prominent members of the property development industry, who were excited about the proposed change. It has, however, proved to be unpopular with local councils.
Leave a comment