Last week, the government confirmed it would go ahead with plans to introduce a new permitted development (PD) right allowing a range of commercial uses to convert to housing without needing a planning application, though it has introduced a number of new restrictions on the measure.
These restrictions include limits on the size of the buildings that can be converted. Buildings with over 1,500 square metres of floorspace will be exempt from the new rules. In addition, applicants will also need to demonstrate that the building has been in the correct commercial usage for at least two years and that the building has been vacant for three continuous months immediately before the date of application for prior approval in order to avoid impacting on thriving businesses.
For a full summary of the restrictions and for information on the other changes made to the permitted development order, please contact us.
