East Herts has published new guidelines in an attempt to crack down on the change of use of buildings to residential. It is now proposing that buildings are marketed for 12 months first in order to ascertain whether there is any demand for business, tourism or community uses as these are regarded as being preferable to residential.

The guidance has not been the subject of public consultation and as such is only of an 'informal' nature –if an application was refused on the basis it did not comply with the Guidance and the matter taken to appeal the Inspector should not place undue weight on it. However, it does show the direction in which the Local Authority are taking policy and with the preparation of the new Local Plan (known as a Local Development Framework) now underway these policies could make their way into formal policy guidance. As a result it is wise to consider looking at securing change of use consents sooner rather than later.