Conversion to Residential Use

   Contains Options

The conversion of suitable buildings for housing and other initiatives, such as promoting flats above shops, can bring new life into centres and further reduce the need to build on green spaces.  Re-using vacant and under-used buildings can provide sustainability benefits such as reducing the need to travel and lessening the demand for new building materials and resources. Re-using vacant and underused buildings can also do much to stimulate a mix of uses associated with the evening and night-time economy. Policy HO4 will work alongside the current system of Permitted Development Rights which, subject to Prior Approval along with any other restrictions and conditions, allows for some buildings to be converted to dwellings depending on their Use Class.