Business Premises: Change of Use

(asked on 24th June 2026) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of development corporations on accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation.


Answered by
Matthew Pennycook Portrait
Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This question was answered on 20th July 2026

My Department has made no specific assessment on the potential impact of Development Corporations in accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation.

The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 included measures to create a clearer, more flexible, and robust framework for development corporations.

The government intends to bring forward further legislation in due course to provide for locally led urban Development Corporations, enabling more coastal communities to establish them, where appropriate.

Reticulating Splines