Recently Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing announced the permitted development of underused office space into Housing was to be made permanent. This measure was first introduced in 2013 and over 4,000 homes nationally have been created. This measure was due to expire in May 2016 but has been made permanent, subject only to local authority prior approval of a limited range of matters.
Having had discussions with developers in Hayes, West Drayton and Uxbridge who’ve carried out conversions under this permitted development rights this can only be good news.
The office conversions are normally well suited to studios and 1 bedroom apartments which are needed right now across Hillingdon Borough. A need evidenced by the rise in base rents for studio and one beds over the last year in the south of the borough.
Could Your Next Buy To Let Property Be Light Industrial?
What is also good news is that the new permitted development rights will also allow the demolition of office buildings and new buildings for residential use and the change of use of light industrial buildings and laundrettes to new homes. Mind you LB of Hillingdon will still need to be happy planning wise the build conforms with flooding, highways, transport and contamination impacts.
I expect to see a lot more changes in the planning laws as restrictions are removed to allow for greater quantities of building for homes in England.
