Work has started on converting former offices into housing at Lakesmere Close business park in Kidlington.

Permission to transform the 17,000-sq-ft commercial premises into 18 terraced houses and four flats was granted by Cherwell District Council last September. This was the first scheme in the county to utilise new legislation.

The amended Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) Act, which came into force in May, aims to provide more housing and make use of empty office blocks.

The new rules make it almost impossible for local authorities to block and have speeded the process from typically three months to just three weeks.

Developer Cantay Estates, which bought 1-20 Lakesmere Close for £1.9m through property agents VSL, says the homes will be ready to move into by March.

Richard Venables of VSL, said: “This scheme is very important because it was the first of its kind to be approved in the area by Cherwell District Council.”

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