H17

Housing

Policy 17

The conversion of buildings into flats will generally be permitted in residential areas provided that:

1. adequate space can be provided for clothes-drying, refuse storage, general amenity, and, if practical, car-parking;
2. the flats created will have a pleasant clear outlook, particularly from the principal rooms and
3. if possible, this involves the creation of parking on site or as part of an overall traffic management strategy for the area.

8.13.4 In recent years, interest has grown in the development of residential dwellings from redundant commercial space, primarily above shops. In the United Kingdom, inspiration for such development came from the LOTS initiative (Living Over The Shop) started in 1989 and the FOS programme (Flats Over the Shop), set up in 1991. The Department generally supports the conversion of redundant storage space above shops (which are often outside of residential areas), into residential development unless the occupants would suffer adverse noise, general disturbance or loss of residential amenity from other land uses.

8.14 Loss of Housing

8.14.1 In the current housing situation, the Department is concerned to ensure that there is no unwarranted loss of existing housing which is fit for habitation or could be made so at reasonable cost.