Planning exemptions could see vacant pubs become homes

Between 2018 and 2023, local authorities received 1,165 notifications to convert vacant commercial premises into a potential 2,716 new homes.

Almost 100 vacant pubs could be redeveloped as homes thanks to new planning exemptions.

The exemptions, introduced in 2018, removed the requirement for planning permission for the conversion of certain types of vacant commercial property into residential units.