The government has indicated its intention to remove red tape from ‘meanwhile leases’, the use of empty buildings on a temporary basis.

Planning Minister Greg Clark (pictured) today said it should be easier for businesses and community groups to make use of empty buildings until a permanent occupier is found.

He said the government could scrap rules requiring costly and time-consuming planning permission in order to temporarily change the use of empty buildings.

The changes would come as part of the Use Class Order review being conducted by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Clark said: “Empty properties can drain the life away from town centres and are a waste of a valuable social and economic resource.

“We want to make it easier for businesses and community enterprises to reanimate vacant spaces, helping to revive struggling high streets and kick-start local growth.

“Removing bureaucratic barriers in the planning system could play a major part in encouraging meanwhile uses of empty buildings, transforming them into new shops, business start-ups and community projects."