Minister to consider scrapping need for planning permission for 'meanwhile uses'

The government is considering scrapping the requirement for planning permission to change temporarily the use of empty buildings.

Planning Minister Greg Clark made the announcement as part of a call for contributions to the Use Class Order review that is being run jointly by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The outcome of the review will be revealed later this year. However, any proposals for changes to legislation will still be the subject of formal consultation.

The Minister said 'meanwhile uses' could transform empty buildings into new shops, business start-ups, and community projects while a permanent solution is found.

Clark said: "Empty properties can drain the life away from town centres and are a waste of a valuable social and economic resource. We want to make it easier for businesses and community enterprises to reanimate vacant spaces, helping to revive struggling high streets and kick-start local growth.

"Removing bureaucratic barriers in the planning system could play a major part in encouraging meanwhile uses of empty buildings.”

The DCLG’s discussion paper can be downloaded here.