Gove to let developers turn offices into flats to avoid row with rural NIMBYs

Michael Gove will pledge to tear up planning rules in towns and cities to avoid a row with rural Tory NIMBYs.

The Housing Secretary will tomorrow set out plans to make it easier for property developers to convert office blocks and shops into homes without applying for planning permission.

“We must build more in the places that make sense – in our inner cities so that we protect our countryside,” he said, announcing the plans.

“And we must make better use of the buildings we already have – empty shops or offices cannot be gathering dust while we have an urgent need for more homes.”

But Labour said the proposals would be a “drop in the ocean” compared to the housing crisis Britain faces.

“Britain desperately needs more homes, but another review is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed to fix the housing crisis,” Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy said.

Labour has slammed Rishi Sunak ’s decision to scrap local housebuilding targets in a bid to fend off a revolt by his backbenchers.

Ms Nandy added: “We don’t need more reviews or press releases, we need bold action to get Britain building.

“That’s why Labour has set out plans to reform the planning system to build the homes we need. We will restore housing targets, reform compulsory purchase rules and take the tough choices to back the builders, not the blockers.”

Mr Gove will also outline proposals to let homeowners build extensions on their homes without planning permission, “whilst ensuring neighbours interests are protected.”

A review will be launched into so-called permitted development rights, which strip locals and councils of the right to object to certain types of development in designated areas.

The rules were originally brought in to allow small changes to single properties – but have been greatly expanded.

Housing charity Shelter has previously criticised plans to expand permitted development, warning they risk office blocks and shops being converted into “human warehouses”, with tiny rooms and windows.

A 2020 government-funded review of the quality of homes built under existing expansions to the rules read: “We would conclude that permitted development conversions do seem to create worse quality residential environments than planning permission conversions in relation to a number of factors widely linked to the health, wellbeing and quality of life of future occupiers.”