The Government has just released a consultation document on yet another proposed change to the planning system.  The Coalition  seems determined to liberalise the planning system further to allow for the conversion of shops and agricultural buildings to dwellings as permitted development.

We must stress that unlike other changes already announced this is not yet in force, but the consultation seeks views on 5 proposals for permitted development rights to allow:

• shops and financial and professional services to change use to a dwelling house
• existing buildings used for agricultural purposes of up to 150 square metres to change to residential use
• retail uses to change to banks and building societies only
• premises used as offices, hotels, residential and non-residential institutions, and leisure and assembly to be able to change use to nurseries providing childcare
• a building used for agricultural purposes of up to 500 square metres to be used as a new state funded school or a nursery providing childcare

All proposals also include permission to carry out building work connected with the change of use, but should this change come into force there will be a range of matters that Local Autorities will be able to consider before confirming such changes are permitted.

For further details please refer to the consultation document here.