Potential for Reduction in Surplus Offices around Oxford

13/08/2013 Planning Officer, Nick Boles, today said that new rules to introduce permitted development rights for a change of use from B1(a) offices to C3 residential use would come into force on the 30th May 2013.

At the moment it is difficult to gauge the impact on this as further clarification would be forthcoming by the end of May. However there is, in principle, potential for a significant reduction in the office availability in Oxford and the surrounding areas. Oxfordshire is suffering from an over supply of office space and we certainly welcome initiatives to help dampen the residential market as well as bring redundant buildings back into use.

Other changes include implementing some recommendations from Mary Portas' review on change of uses for a 2 year period to help new retail ventures and reduce restrictive change of uses on buildings. To download a copy of the proposed legislation please click here http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1101/made

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