Mayor seeks conversion right exemption for three London areas

The Mayor is bidding for the  exemption to apply in the Central Activities Zone (CAZ), which includes the City of London, the South Bank and the West End. He has  also applied for an exemption for the commercial area to the north of the Isle of Dogs and the Royal Docks as well as for the emerging "Tech City" in east London.

The Mayor said in a statement that the CAZ is home to more than a third of London's jobs and that a further 280,000 jobs are expected to be created there over the next 25 years.

The Mayor said that he is not against the principle of using unused office buildings to meet the capital's housing need. However, he said that the potential loss of offices and change in character of "economically important neighbourhoods" could be to the detriment of business.

The Mayor said he believes the current need for planning permission for office to residential conversions has "a vital role to play to in making sure the mix of uses in central London is properly considered to ensure the vibrancy and vitality of London's nationally distinctive business areas".

“London is a colossal powerhouse of jobs and growth, not only for the UK but of international significance," said Johnson. "Its success depends on a rich mix of uses and the high value of residential property in central London could upset this and change the area for good."

"So it is absolutely vital we can plan for these key areas so we continue to attract investment and businesses, maintaining London's status as a global commercial hub," he said.

“Converting offices to homes in central London areas will only lead to expensive homes, not affordable homes, at a cost to the business community – which I think negates exactly what the Government is trying to achieve in terms of housing and growth,” said MP for Westminster and the City of London, Mark Field.

The proposed changes to permitted development rights were announced last month. The Government's Chief Planner, Steve Quartermain, confirmed in a letter (5-page / 54KB PDF) to chief planning officers that exemptions could be granted in "exceptional" circumstances.

The Mayor has also encouraged London Boroughs to submit their own bids for specific business areas they feel should be exempt from the new rules.