Help Turn Empty Buildings into Homes

Take Action for Cheaper Housing Now!

A key government proposal to make housing cheaper for First Time Buyers may be under threat.

The government has announced that it is looking to make it easier to convert empty commercial property into residential accommodation.

Towns and cities across the UK are currently awash with empty offices, warehouses and shops – whilst house prices stay close to record highs. Making it easier to convert these places to residential housing would help First Time Buyers greatly – at a time when house building is at record lows.

However these plans are in danger of grinding to a halt. Strong opposition is expected from Local Authorities, whose planning officers don’t want to lose one of their planning powers. We need to make sure that supportive voices from First Time Buyers also lobby government.

Help make sure this idea doesn’t get buried – take action now! Send a letter to C3consultation@communities.gsi.gov.uk

These proposals are currently under formal consultation, providing a key moment when government measures the support for its idea – if we have just 50 First Time Buyers writing to support the changes this would make a big difference. Please do it!

• I am a First Time Buyer / I cannot afford to buy in my town / city
• Housing is far too expensive where I live. There has been too few new homes built and prices are far above local incomes.
• I am currently paying a large amount of my income on rent and / or commuting
• There is a surplus of commercial property where I live – offices and shops are standing empty. When house prices are so high this makes no sense.
• I support the proposal to allow commercial properties to be converted into residential property without the need for planning permission – this includes the conversion of offices, industrial space, warehouses and more than one flat above shops.
• Converting this commercial property into residential use would be good news for young people and First Time Buyers – it would increase supply and lead to lower prices.
• It is also something that would happen if permitted – there would be little opposition from NIMBYs as it is existing property and commercial property developers would have the economic incentives to get moving quickly.
• Local Authority planners have a very poor record of providing enough housing. They also have a poor record in providing a sensible amount of commercial property. Giving them so much control over the use of existing properties has not delivered what is needed.
• High housing costs are a big problem for local businesses in my area – it increases costs for employees and means it is harder to recruit motivated and talented people. Lower housing costs should be a priority for the economic strategy of our planning system

Here's a template to get you started:

Send the letter to C3consultation@communities.gsi.gov.uk