Under nationwide ‘permitted development rights’, offices and commercial premises can be converted to housing without the need for planning permission, leading to homes that would otherwise fall short of standards normally demanded.
But under tighter regulations agreed by Islington Council earlier in the summer, these premises now cannot be converted without full planning consent
Starting in September, the new rules are aimed at preventing developers encroaching into high streets with sub-standard homes, and making sure any new housing is “genuinely affordable and meets local needs”.
Any proposed ‘change of use’ from commercial to residential use in retail and employment zones must now undergo the full planning process.
“We are determined to protect shops and small businesses in our local high streets,” Islington deputy council leader Santiago Bell-Bradford warned.
“These ‘planning protections’ help stop poor-quality conversions and make sure new homes meet ‘affordable’ housing requirements built to high standards.”
The council can enforce policies on affordable housing, energy efficiency and design to make sure developers “make a positive contribution” to the community.
“Developers can bypass the planning system without these safeguards,” Cllr Bell-Bradford points out. “This leads to the loss of commercial and community spaces and creates homes that fall well short of community needs.”
The all-embrasing regulations take effect today (September 1) in selected town centres such as Archway, Finsbury Park, Nag’s Head and The Angel, as well as industrial and ‘priority employment’ zones.
Developers must now apply for full planning permission before converting shops or offices in these zones.
This stops the trend for commercial buildings being converted without planning permission, under national ‘permitted development rights’ known as Class MA rights.
But now local authorities such as Islington are using ‘direction’ powers to restrict these rights in areas where they risk undermining local planning objectives.
This is the second time that the council has issued ‘directions’ to remove such permitted development rights. It adopted ‘directions’ two years ago to protect the ‘Central Activities’ zone and adjoining areas like the Vale Royal industrial area along York Way, north of King’s Cross, and the specialist retail areas at The Angel’s Camden Passage market and the Font Hill Road neighbourhood in Finsbury Park.
