Approve conversions unless 'strong economic reasons' not to - National Planning Policy Framework

The Government's flagship National Planning Policy Framework, effective from Arpil 2012, emphasises the role of empty homes in boosting housing supply and tells Councils to approve conversions unless there are "strong economic reasons" not to. It gives a stronger push to local empty homes work and re-states the advice that councils should compulsorily purchase empties "where appropriate". The new Policy Framework says: Local planning authorities should identify and bring back into residential use
empty housing and buildings in line with local housing and empty homes
strategies and, where appropriate, acquire properties under compulsory
purchase powers. They should normally approve planning applications for
change to residential use and any associated development from commercial
buildings (currently in the B use classes) where there is an identified need for
additional housing in that area, provided that there are not strong economic
reasons why such development would be inappropriate. Previous Guidance (Planninig Policy Statement 3 - Housing) was more circumspect: Making effective use of existing housing stock
31. Conversions of existing housing can provide an important source of new housing. Local Planning Authorities should develop positive policies to identify and bring into residential use empty housing and buildings in line with local housing and empty homes strategies and, where appropriate, acquire properties under compulsory purchase procedures.