Greater flexibilities for change of use

The proposals in this consultation support government priorities for making better use of existing buildings, supporting the high street and rural communities; providing new housing; developing more free schools and contributing to the provision of child care for working families.

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.