Vacant Commercial Buildings Continue to Present Residential Conversion Opportunities

The Government has continued to support exemptions and policy measures aimed at encouraging the conversion of vacant commercial buildings into residential accommodation. This forms part of a broader strategy to increase housing supply while bringing underutilised buildings back into productive use.  

Why it matters

• Potential development opportunities within town and village centres.

• Reduced planning risk for certain conversion projects.

• Opportunity to create residential units from vacant premises.

• Supports urban regeneration and compact growth objectives.

Our View

Many vacant buildings are worth significantly more as residential accommodation than in their current use. Early planning and feasibility advice can identify opportunities that may otherwise be overlooked.

For your audience of landowners, developers and homeowners, these four stories are stronger than general planning reform stories because they all answer the same question:

“How can current planning changes create value from land or property?”