The Government want to bring in new planning rules which would mean that many types of commercial buildings in Beaconsfield could change their use to residential use without the need for planning permission for the change of use.
The rules would enable businesses such as shops, offices, restaurants, cafés, gyms, GP surgeries, crèches, professional services and light industrial buildings to change to housing with no planning permission needed to change use.
Imaging losing your gym, your child's nursery or other services you think are important to the town to lucrative housing without having any chance to object.
I think that these new rules could result in haphazard development, loss of services and damage to our High Streets and Old Town Conservation Area. Repurposing buildings can certainly be positive but the requirement for planning permission should remain so that communities have a voice.
The Government are running a consultation on this which expires on 28th January, so tell them what you think by emailing: PublicServiceInfrastructure&PermittedDevelopmentConsultation@communities.gov.uk.
You can read the consultation papers here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/supporting-housing-delivery-and-public-service-infrastructure/supporting-housing-delivery-and-public-service-infrastructure
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