Hundreds of underused office blocks, department stores or other
commercial buildings will be turned into new homes under
‘brownfield-first’ plans to be announced by the Government next
week.
The changes mark a decisive shift away from the rise of
developments on the edge of villages and in the green belt, which
put unacceptable pressure on local infrastructure and community
resources, to a focus on brownfield land in inner cities, where
demand and support is greatest and the infrastructure already
exists.
Due to be announced by the Housing Secretary next week, new
measures will cut red tape for brownfield regeneration, allowing
developers to convert these properties through streamlined
planning processes. This shows the Government delivering on its
plan to get Britain building in the right places; bringing new
homes to town centres, supporting high streets and improve
footfall for businesses.
The Government will change the law to allow developers to bring
properties back into use more quickly and provide much needed
high street homes. Rules will be in place to make sure these
converted buildings are safe, provide good standards of living
space and have natural light.
Last year the Housing Secretary delivered a keynote speech
launching the Government’s long-term plan for housing. These
further changes focus on building on brownfield sites in urban
areas to prevent developments sprawling into the countryside or
onto the greenbelt, where new developments often face strong
local opposition and lack infrastructure.
Housing Secretary MP said:
“This Government has a plan to help people achieve the dream of
home ownership and grow the economy, with 2.5 million homes
delivered since 2010 – and we are determined to go further.
“But we will not allow the countryside to be concreted over.
Communities expect us to make use of empty properties or disused
buildings, and redevelop existing derelict sites, before we
consider building on other land.
“These changes would build tens of thousands more homes across
the country, revitalising our towns and cities while protecting
our precious green spaces.”
Last year the Government published a consultation on extending
permitted development rights, which have already helped build
over 100,000 new homes. It is expected the Government will go
further and for the first time allow commercial buildings, no
matter what size, to be eligible under the scheme.
The Housing Secretary is also expected to announce further
measures to unlock more homes in urban areas, with incentives for
developers to build on brownfield.
