The British Property Federation has welcomed new planning laws allowing councils to convert empty commercial units into homes.

The new regulations were announced in a Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) and will allow the following to be transformed into homes:

• Casinos
• Distribution centres
• Storage facilities

Reviving towns

The BPF hopes that allowing these empty properties to be brought back into use will increase flexibility for councils and developers looking to give towns and communities a regeneration boost.

It follows recent announcements that the government would allow high street retailers to build ‘click and collect’ facilities without planning permission.

Other plans include a 20-fold increase in the number of solar PV panels that would be allowed on non-domestic buildings without planning approval.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the BPF says that making it easier for councils to repurpose empty buildings is a key part of creating thriving, vibrant communities.

While she admits that turning casinos and storage centres into homes will not solve the housing crisis, she says the new permitted development rights can breathe new life into under-used buildings and towns.

John Mclarty, National Partner and Head of Planning in East Anglia at Strutt & Parker, also comments: “The extension of permitted development rights to cover the conversion of further commercial uses will help meet housing needs and is good news for landowners and developers.

"It remains to be seen how individual Councils will interpret the legislation for the prior approval process. In order to secure approval it will therefore be important that proposals successfully address the matters set out in the new legislation.”

Further plans

In the WMS, Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Minister for Faith, also announced the following:

• Increased support for brownfield developments
• Protection against inappropriate development on greenbelts
• Plans to take ‘firm action’ against breaches of the planning laws in regards ‘unauthorised encampments’
• Amendments to planning policy to support the provision of car parking spaces
• Streamlining of the planning process
• Localised rules for short term lets
• Support for small builders involved in Zero Carbon Homes