“If people think that markets are rigged and a democracy isn’t listening to them, then you get – and this is the worrying thing to me – an increasing number of young people saying, ‘I don’t believe in democracy, I don’t believe in markets,” he said.
Speaking on Sky News, Mr Gove said the Government’s target was still “absolutely, totally, 100 per cent” to build 300,000 new homes a year even if it was an “advisory” commitment rather than “mandatory.”
The current time limit of three months before office blocks can be turned into homes will be scrapped allowing councils to give the green light to developers as soon as they become vacant.
The Government will also allow office blocks of any size to be converted to flats without new planning permission by axing the current limit of 1,500 square metres, which is equivalent to the size of an 11-a-side football pitch.
“For the first time commercial buildings, no matter what size, will be eligible under the permitted development rights scheme,” said a Government source. The scheme enables householders to improve and extend their homes without the need to apply for planning permission.
Councils falling below 75 per cent of their target to build homes will be placed under a presumption that they must be constructed on brownfield sites in towns and cities.
The aim of the strategy is to ensure new housing is focused on already built-up areas to limit development sprawling out to the outskirts of villages or the green belt.