Government confirms that a permitted development right to demolish offices and rebuild as residential is still on the agenda

Given its reputation, Friday the 13th is an unusual date on which to release news. It is, however, the date on which DCLG chose to publish the latest in a long list of responses to the Technical Consultation on Planning it published in July 2014.

Hidden amongst the many paragraphs explaining what the Government has done in the 22 months since the consultation was published is the following statement:

"The Government announced that the right will also allow for the demolition of offices and replacement as residential use on a like-for-like basis. This element will be brought forward on a separate timetable."

It is clear that the introduction of a permitted development right to demolish and re-build is still on the Government's agenda. Given the on-going speculation about yet more planning related legislation being announced in the Queen's speech, it may even make a re-appearance sooner rather than later.