Ministers urged to put brakes on offices in England being turned into homes

The article discusses the call by housing providers and charities for the government to put an end to the conversion of offices into homes in England. The concern is that this practice, which is enabled by permitted development rights (PDR), has resulted in the loss of nearly 28,000 affordable homes. The open letter has been signed by a range of organizations, including local government campaigners, housing providers, and homelessness charities. They are urging the government to abolish the current PDR that allows for these office-to-residential conversions, as there are worries about the lack of affordable housing options. The article highlights the tension between the desire for more housing and the need to ensure that new developments include sufficient affordable units. The groups behind the open letter are advocating for policy changes to address this issue and prevent further losses of affordable homes through the conversion of office spaces.