Tighter Rules on Conversion of Office Space Coming into Effect
Hounslow limiting scope to turn buildings into flats
Schemes such as Empire House in Chiswick have been partly enabled by permitted development rights
March 21, 2025
New rules that will make it more difficult to convert office space into flats are about to come into effect in the borough of Hounslow.
On 4 March the council confirmed an Article 4 direction that removes certain permitted development rights (PDR) that would result in new dwellings. This means that full planning permission would now need to be obtained in many cases.
The changes apply in designated areas across the borough including town centres and industrial locations.
A report presented to the council in 2023 argued that (PDR, introduced by the government in 2021, could restrict economic growth in the borough by reducing the supply of commercial property.
The Direction was made by the Council on 17 April 2024 and a public consultation took place between 19 April 2024 and 31 May 2024, with the Direction being confirmed after having taken into account the representations received during the consultation period. The Direction will come into force on 22 April.
The one-year time period between the decision and implementation was to reduce potential compensation liability.
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