In a bid to help revive the High Street and boost the economy, Ministers have now taken the drastic step in tearing up current planning laws.
The new reforms will allow shops, offices, banks and restaurants to open without the need to obtain planning permission. In the same breath, rules
will also be changed to allow offices to be converted into flats and houses to meet the needs of the growing housing demands.
This news could be met with some negativity from those fearing it could have a detrimental effect to towns and cities, as the planning free-for-all could transform today’s communities as we know them. Ministers believe that the change is crucial in boosting job creation, putting a spark back into the High Street and tackling the UK’s housing issues.
The changes mean that under a three year window, under-used offices can be converted into residential property, while changes of use can now go ahead for shops, restaurants, offices, leisure facilities and village halls.
An agricultural building below 500 square meters could become a restaurant or shop before your very eyes. It is worth noting that any building over 150 square meters will be required to seek a form of prior permission to ensure noise and traffic
problems will not be caused.
If you would like to know how these changes may affect commercial property in High Wycombe and across the Thames Valley, speak to the experts at Deriaz Slater.
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