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Planning Update: January 2013
planning + development associates
The Government has announced proposals to allow vacant/underused offices to be converted into residential space without requiring planning permission. However, planning permission will still be required for any associated physical development. Vacant Offices to Residential
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced yesterday that new permitted development rights for a change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential purposes will come into force in the Spring 2013. The new rights will initially be time-limited for a period of three years. The Government will consider towards the end of the three year period whether the permitted development rights should be extended indefinitely. Proposals to change from B1(a) to C3 will be subject to a prior approval process covering significant transport and highway impacts, development in areas of high flood risk, land contamination and safety hazard zones. The permitted development rights will only cover change of use: any associated physical development which currently requires a planning application will continue to need one. Local authorities are being given an opportunity to request an exemption from the new permitted development rights for specific parts of their locality; these must be submitted by 22 February 2013. Government will only grant exemptions in exceptional circumstances, where local authorities demonstrate clearly that the introduction of these new permitted development rights in a particular area will lead to the loss of a nationally significant area of economic activity or have substantial adverse economic consequences at the local authority level which are not offset by the positive benefits the new rights would bring. Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings The relaxation of planning controls will also allow agricultural buildings to convert up to a specific size still to be determined to other non-residential uses without planning permission. A prior approval process for conversions beyond the size threshold will be introduced to guard against unacceptable impacts, such as flooding, transport and noise.
Conversion in Town Centres Further relaxation of planning controls will allow town centre uses to convert temporarily for two years to other uses. Such alternative uses would include shops (A1), financial and professional services (A2), restaurants and cafes (A3) and offices (B1) for up to two years. Increase in permitted development thresholds for B8/B2 to B1 and B8 Government has also announced that it will increase the thresholds for permitted development rights for change of use between business/office (B1) and warehouse (B8) classes and from general industry (B2) to B1 and B8 from 235 to 500 square metres. To find out more, or to discuss the implications of the latest proposals for your development project, please contact Alan Gunne-Jones on 0207 1010 789.
Planning & Development Associates Ltd 123 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5EA | T: 0207 1010 789 | E: info@plandev.co.uk | www.plandev.co.uk This briefing contains general information only and is not intended to be comprehensive nor to provide professional advice to cover specific situations. It is not a substitute for such advice and should not be relied upon or used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect you or your business. We accept no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this briefing. Š Planning & Development Associates Ltd 2013. All rights reserved.
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