The Government has recently announced that it will be changing permitted development rights in Spring 2013 to allow a change of use from commercial uses to dwellings without the need for planning permission.  However, a Chief Planning Officer letter also specifies that Councils may be able to ‘opt-out’ should they have a good economic case as to why the changes should not apply in their area.

This is an interesting development as it was widely thought the Government had back-tracked on the idea following an original consultation on it in April 2011.

There are a few other new provisions as well, such as making the conversion of agricultural buildings to commercial uses permitted development.

We will keep you updated when/if the announcement actually makes it into legislation, but for further information please do not hesitate to contact Mark Godson on 01242 231575.