In this issue:
Permitted Development Rights - Change of Use from Office to Residential..........1
Chancel Repairs..................................2
Flooding............................................3
Changes to the Green Deal...................4
Announcements and Events.................6
MIPIM 2014......................................7
Rent & Mortgages...............................8
Case Summaries.................................9
Excerpt from "Permitted Development Rights — Change of Use from Office to Residential": New permitted development rights were announced by Eric Pickles in January 2013 as one of the measures promoted by the government last year to increase the national housing supply. They came into effect in May 2013 and permit the change of use of a building from Class B1(a) (office) to Class C3 (residential). Since the introduction of these rights, there has been a significant increase in the number of prior approval applications for the conversion of office buildings into residential use being submitted to local planning authorities (LPAs). The benefit for developers is clear, as the ability of LPAs to seek substantial obligations by way of section 106 agreements for affordable housing and education contributions is effectively removed.
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