Last week the Budget brought the welcome confirmation that the Government is to relax planning regulations in order to make it easier to switch commercial buildings into residential use without the need for planning permission.

The news has been welcomed by many who say that the ability to now turn redundant space such as empty offices will help to regenerate local communities and meet the shortfall of affordable housing in the UK. 2010 saw the lowest level of housebuilding in the UK since 1923 and the move could create 250,000 new homes and save a massive £140 million in planning system costs according to the Government.

Certainly it is better that some use is made of existing space. Currently between 7 and 9 per cent of the UK’s commercial space is empty so the news is a great get out clause for ladnlords that may have struggled with commercial projects but been unwilling to go through the cost and bureaucracy of trying to convert such space to residential previously.

However in many instances there is likely to be a conflict between the desire of landlords to get their redundant space filled and the need of local councils to control the balance of well located office space ready for when the market does pick up. The relaxation is welcome but a balance will still be needed.