Affordable housing threatened by office conversions - LGA
Study estimates 7,500 homes lost in England due to lack of regulation
Allowing developers to convert offices into housing without planning permission was “detrimental” to local communities and reduced affordable home availability, the Local Government Association (LGA) said on Thursday.
An LGA study said that 30,575 housing units in England have been converted from offices to flats since 2015 without having to go through the planning system, resulting in a potential loss of more than 7,500 affordable homes.
“Permitted development allows developers to bypass the oversight of councils and local residents that is provided by the planning system, which ensures homes are built to high standards with the requisite infrastructure in place,” the LGA said.
Under normal planning rules developers normally make a financial contribution to the increased costs of public services that an influx of new residents will bring.
LGA housing spokesman Martin Tett said councils were also warning that office space could dry up as a result of the conversion developments, leaving businesses and start-ups without any premises in which to base themselves.
“Councils want to see more affordable homes built quickly and the conversion of offices into residential flats is one way to deliver much-needed homes,” he said.
“However it is vital that councils and local communities have a voice in the planning process. At present, permitted development rules allow developers to bypass local influence and convert offices to flats, and to do so without providing affordable housing and local services and infrastructure such as roads and schools.
“Permitted development is detrimental to the ability of local communities to shape the area they live in. Planning is not a barrier to house-building, and councils are approving nine in 10 planning applications.”