The chancellor George Osborne has announced that developers will no longer need planning permission to convert commercial property to residential, in a move that could see up to 250,000 new flats or homes across the UK.

The changes will also include a number of measures to streamline planning applications to remove bureaucracy from the system and speed it up. This will include a 12 month guarantee for processing all applications and appeals, with a fast track for major infrastructure projects.

Jeremy Stein, CEO of Drawing and Planning Ltd, London's leading property planning consultancy, said: "At present the local Councils inLondon are struggling to cope with the volume of existing planning applications. With the looming cuts to planning departments this new 12 month guarantee on applications and appeals only heaps the pressure on further".

The announcement comes as good news to developers and landlords, with vacancies in commercial property currently at an alarmingly high rate. Converting empty office blocks, warehouses and business parks into housing will relieve the strain on the industry and regenerate local communities. With a significant shortfall of affordable homes in many areas of the UK, any measures proposed to create more housing units should be welcomed.

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said: "We are unblocking the complex, costly planning system, regenerating redundant sites and putting the brakes on the years of Whitehall micro- management that has tied business up in red tape, slowing and stifling growth." This would put an end to the current system which is "plagued by conflict and appeals", he added.

The proposals to reduce the red tape involved in local planning decisions and speed up the process gives landlords and homeowners the ability to go ahead with developments without the associated headache. In addition to the obvious benefits, The 12 month guarantee will allow homeowners to adapt their homes as their family grows.

The Budget also pilots a new land auction scheme. This will see local councils auction off public sector land with pre-approved planning permission to encourage more areas to be developed. This could eventually lead to councils granting planning permission to private land owners prior to sale, receiving a share of the profit.

Commenting on the move by the government, James Rowlands, global policy and research manager at RICS, said "Although it would not be a solution to all problems this could represent the first step towards a vibrant and sustainable property market and help the economy recover".

Stein concluded "Its high time councils clued in to the large profits planning permission earns developers. A site that has planning permission is instantly more valuable". He suggested the change should come from the private sector. Individual homeowners and developers will ultimately satisfy the demand for additional dwelling space".

If you require planning permission or are considering a Change of Use from Commercial to Residential, Contact Drawing and Planning Ltd on 0208 202 3665 or visit www. DrawingandPlanning.com