GOVERNMENT changes to planning law have been welcomed by a North-East firm.

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), based in Newcastle, say amendments to the Use Classes Order, announced by Communities and Local Government Minister, Eric Pickles, will mean sites previously held up by dated employment allocations and policies on the protection of employment land, can be used more beneficially.

Richard Moffat, LSH’s director in planning and development consultancy, said: “A significant number of obsolete offices could take advantage of this legislation change helping to provide new homes, remove outdated office stock from the market and give a much-needed kick start to development.

“While many authorities who have held on to redundant sites in the face of a declining employment base will lament their loss of control, the development industry will now be able to recycle that redundant stock.”