A move by Milton Keynes City Council to remove property developers’ automatic right to convert offices into residential units has been welcomed by commercial property consultant Kirkby Diamond.

The local authority has introduced an Article 4 direction to limit the work that can be carried out within the central business district of the city without the need for planning permission.

This shift away from automatically allowing developers to convert commercial buildings into apartments could lead to an increase in new office developments and business investment in Milton Keynes, according to Kirkby Diamond.

Permitted development rights allow property owners to convert offices into residential units after obtaining a ‘prior approval not required’ decision notice from the local planning authority. Developments under permitted development rights were originally thought by some as allowing Milton Keynes to adapt to changing markets and take advantage of the residential conversion boom, Kirkby Diamond explained. However, others viewed it as the start of an “unwelcome shift of focus” for the city centre.

According to the property company, while permitted development rights saw numerous office blocks taken off the market and the residential offering boosted, the spin-off of ancillary residential facilities failed to follow.

By removing permitted development rights, Milton Keynes City Council “can ensure that office-to-residential conversions are well designed with the interests of the occupier being the primary concern”, Kirkby Diamond said.

With the council moving on Article 4, it will now be “a watching brief” to see how swiftly this might affect the office market and whether it will encourage office development back to the city centre, the property company added.