Thames Valley: Vail Williams welcomes move to relax rules on converting offices into homes

Government’s announcement that planning rules could be relaxed temporarily to give permitted development rights for offices to be transformed into homes has been welcomed as potential “good news” for the Thames Valley area by commercial property experts Vail Williams. The plans unveiled by communities secretary Eric Pickles are meant to help tackle the national housing shortage by enabling empty and underused offices to be swiftly turned into much-needed accommodation.

However, the change will last only three years and be limited to B1(a) offices. Conversion proposals could also still be blocked by local authorities if they can demonstrate there would be substantial adverse economic consequences.

“The announcement is particularly important for the property sector,” commented Vail Williams’ James Lacey, partner, planning consultancy.

“While clarification is still needed on when the new rules will take effect, they could be good news for those areas where it is economically viable to convert empty and under-used offices for residential use, offering an opportunity for office buildings to change to residential use to provide much needed housing with a consequent uplift in value.”

He added: “We also welcome the Secretary of State’s approach to only grant exemptions to those local authorities which can demonstrate exceptional circumstances, confirming the Government’s intent that this new measure will be successful and widely used.”

Resources: Vail Williams website