The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: Orinlooper on August 08, 2020, 07:51:46 am

Title: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 08, 2020, 07:51:46 am
Does anybody have any good info on Boris announcements about build buil build?

Apparently you can repurpose commercial buildings into residential without planning permission?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 08, 2020, 10:03:00 am
I understood it mainly applies to town centres but that all planning processes should involve less red tape.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 08, 2020, 01:31:45 pm
Thanks, do you have a link you can post?

How can we find out he details please?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 08, 2020, 02:04:36 pm
This is on gov.uk


https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-build-build-build (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-build-build-build)


I don't know if the detail can be found yet.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 08, 2020, 05:45:25 pm
Thanks so much, so it comes in this September

I’m wondering if I could change my commercial building on my land to residential without the need of planning permission?

We got turned down years ago, but how can I find out if these changes will mean we can do it now?

From that link.... wider range of commercial buildings will be allowed to change to residential use without the need for a planning application.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: landroverroy on August 08, 2020, 06:58:37 pm
Go on the government website - look up "permitted development". Or simply google something like "permitted development commercial to residential".
Because you may not need planning does not mean you can just "do it"! You still have to apply for PD but it should be easier than planning.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 08, 2020, 07:20:11 pm
Agree with landroverroy - not removing the need for planning. And green belt and green spaces still protected.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 09, 2020, 09:07:23 am
Go on the government website - look up "permitted development". Or simply google something like "permitted development commercial to residential".
Because you may not need planning does not mean you can just "do it"! You still have to apply for PD but it should be easier than planning.

Thanks landroverroy

So you have to apply for permitted development from commercial to residential?

But I have been reading about how you don’t need to apply for planning and how local planners don’t like it?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 09, 2020, 09:10:15 am
The new laws will allow developers to convert commercial and retail buildings into housing without making a full planning application extending permitted development (PD) rights that already allow office buildings to be converted.

https://www.dezeen.com/2020/07/21/permitted-development-law-uk-architecture-riba/ (https://www.dezeen.com/2020/07/21/permitted-development-law-uk-architecture-riba/)
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 09, 2020, 09:29:16 am
Is there a difference between commercial and agricultural?

Our building that we want to convert to residential, I have a feeling it’s classed as agricultural not commercial

Are they the same thing?

If not what are the new PD rules for conversion of agricultural to residential?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 09, 2020, 09:36:16 am
Yes there is a difference in commercial and agricultural. Whether any detail is yet available I don't know as it has only been announced not passed.



Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 09, 2020, 09:59:22 am
Some PD doesn't need prior notification, some does.  So you still need to check the rules for the specific development you are planning.  Agri builds often require prior notification; this gives the planners a few weeks to let you know if there is a reason your proposed build needs full pp.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 09, 2020, 10:19:01 am
Also somebody said the new relaxed PD rules only apply to within towns?

But somebody else said no there are examples of developments in the country side, so which is it, does anybody know?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 09, 2020, 11:16:46 am
The press release on gov.uk does appear to highlight building in towns. In the countryside there are less brownfield sites but they do exist so potentially they could benefit from a planning change.

You are only going to get a definite answer when the nitty gritty is ironed out and you make enquiries specific to your building with a planning dept.

I doubt and hope this is not going to open the floodgates on planning on greenfield sites in open country and if it does then the price of agricultural land, especially with buildings, is going to rocket.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 09, 2020, 11:54:15 am
The press release on gov.uk does appear to highlight building in towns. In the countryside there are less brownfield sites but they do exist so potentially they could benefit from a planning change.

You are only going to get a definite answer when the nitty gritty is ironed out and you make enquiries specific to your building with a planning dept.

I doubt and hope this is not going to open the floodgates on planning on greenfield sites in open country and if it does then the price of agricultural land, especially with buildings, is going to rocket.

I wonder when we can find out for sure?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 09, 2020, 12:03:20 pm
[member=144981]Orinlooper[/member] please correct your formatting
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: harmony on August 09, 2020, 12:14:29 pm
Sorry about the large font previously. I wasn't shouting.  :roflanim: :roflanim:


I think the plan is to bring the new rules in during September.

Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on August 17, 2020, 04:10:25 pm
Anybody have more info on this?
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: landroverroy on August 18, 2020, 10:48:23 pm
It's all there on the internet Orinlooper. You are better off looking on the official government website than getting snippets of information on a smallholders forum. If you find it complicated you would get the information explained more clearly if you joined a planning forum on facebook, where there are professional planners who are happy to explain things.


Alternatively have a look at Martin Goodall's Planning Blog, which is full of useful information.
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Dookie on November 11, 2020, 04:55:06 pm
The press release on gov.uk does appear to highlight building in towns. In the countryside there are less brownfield sites but they do exist so potentially they could benefit from a planning change.

You are only going to get a definite answer when the nitty gritty is ironed out and you make enquiries specific to your building with a planning dept.

I doubt and hope this is not going to open the floodgates on planning on greenfield sites in open country and if it does then the price of agricultural land, especially with buildings, is going to rocket.

Surely the difference is that agricultural land is not the same as previously developed (brownfield) land, though, whether on the greenbelt or greenfield? You can't turn agri land into residential, as far as I know... Dx
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Orinlooper on January 01, 2021, 08:35:25 am
Has anyone got any new info about permitted development?

I hear it’s £95 to change usage from commercial to resi
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Backinwellies on January 01, 2021, 10:35:08 am
I have no idea .... but sounds rather cheap to me ..... cost us over £300 to change our cottage back to a holiday cottage (with no building changes or even a paint job) ....  and it had been a holiday cottage before
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: doganjo on January 01, 2021, 10:59:41 am
Council prices have all gone up in recent years.  My building warrant this time cost £350, was £105 just a few years ago
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: landroverroy on January 01, 2021, 12:43:33 pm
Has anyone got any new info about permitted development?

I hear it’s £95 to change usage from commercial to resi


Orinlooper - this is a smallholders' site, but nevertheless some of us have experience and knowledge of changing the use of buildings, and have imparted what we know to you.


So if one of us gave a perfectly reasoned and logical answer and said "Yes of course if you've got a substantial commercial building then you can change it to residential use without needing any sort of reference to planning or building control. Just go ahead and do it. There'll be no problem at all."  Would you just take their word for it because it's what you want to hear, or would you then consult a planning professional and find out exactly what you are legally allowed to do?


I imagine that whatever anyone on here said that you would eventually get professional advice about what you can and can't do. :thinking:  So why not do it, instead of asking a series of part questions which realistically no one can answer because you haven't given any details of your building?  An hour's consultation with a professional planner might cost you £100, and for what you potentially stand to gain would seem to be well worth it. But even a professional on here cannot give you an accurate answer without a lot more details than that you've "got a commercial building".

Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: doganjo on January 01, 2021, 03:23:59 pm
Admin - can you check this [member=144981]Orinlooper[/member] out - seems to be just trying to find an easy and cheap way of making money
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: Rosemary on January 01, 2021, 05:58:44 pm
Admin - can you check this [member=144981]Orinlooper[/member] out - seems to be just trying to find an easy and cheap way of making money
If they find one, I hope they share it. :coat:
Title: Re: Repurposed commercial into residential
Post by: landroverroy on January 01, 2021, 06:07:16 pm
Admin - can you check this [member=144981]Orinlooper[/member] out - seems to be just trying to find an easy and cheap way of making money


Agreed :thumbsup: .
Guess we'd all like to have a goose that lays the golden egg. But surely it must be obvious that in order for her to keep laying the owner must expect to apply a certain amount of input and not leave it all to someone else to organise, or to chance.