Local authority leaders are calling on the Government to limit office-to-residential conversions under permitted development rights (PDR), warning they are undermining affordable housing delivery.
New LGA analysis shows almost 28,000 affordable homes have not been delivered over the past 11 years due to such conversions.
An amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, tabled by Baroness Thornhill, seeks to address this by removing key PDR rights.
A joint letter signed by 39 organisations – including the LGA, Shelter and the National Housing Federation – urges ministers to support the change.
Cllr Louise Gittins, chair of the LGA, said the amendment could be a ‘game-changer’.
‘PDR allows developers to avoid contributing to?affordable housing in the local area which has a real-world impact – a fifth of families in temporary accommodation could be permanently housed.’
Baroness Thornhill, who is a vice president of the LGA, added: ‘Councils – and communities – are losing out significantly because developers are able to circumvent the democratic planning process.
‘Making this change could mean better quality development, which has the benefit of proper oversight and consideration, and helps bring forward much needed affordable housing.’
