Developers will be allowed to sidestep planning permission in a move ministers say could create up to 250,000 additional houses or flats, against the 129,000 built last year.
BBC sources suggests savings could cut red tape costs by £140m in 10 years, as 7-9% of commercial properties lie vacant.
The proposal aims to boost home construction and encourage first time buyers back into the housing market by making it easier for developers in England to convert commercial properties into private houses and flats.
The British Property Federation welcomed the plan, saying it wouldn’t want to see commercial buildings which supported employment taken out of use but the change would facilitate a massive need.
“It makes huge sense to look at alternative uses, particularly residential where there is a massive need for new sources of supply,” said Liz Peace, chief executive of the BPF.
