Policies & Regulation

The rules that reprice buildings.

Legislation, zoning, rent, tax, monetary and prudential policy that moves real estate markets, plus the sustainability, disclosure and energy standards investors hold real assets to — each entry links to the official primary source. (For what firms publish about themselves, see Reports & policies.)

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UK — England· in force

Class MA Permitted Development — floorspace cap & vacancy requirement removed (SI 2024/141)

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI 2024/141), in force 5 Mar 2024, amends Class MA of the GPDO 2015 (commercial/business/service-to-residential conversion). It removes (a) the 1,500 sqm floorspace cap and (b) the 3-month pre-application vacancy requirement, permitting change of use to residential (Class C3) from Class E buildings of any size — occupied or vacant — without a full planning application, subject to prior approval.

Commercial real-estate coverage of this change (e.g. Cushman & Wakefield's 'Unlocking New Opportunities') frames it as materially widening the office/retail-to-residential conversion pipeline in England by removing the two binding constraints that previously excluded larger and occupied buildings. Primary instrument: legislation.gov.uk. England only — does not apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, which have separate planning regimes.

permitted developmentplanning reformzoningoffice to residentialclass maengland

Summaries are for orientation only, not legal advice. Always confirm requirements on the official source.

2 days ago

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