Seventeen local authorities have been made exempt from the government's new permitted development rights which will allow developers to convert office space to housing without requiring planning permission.<br> <br> The plans, announced in January, led to a number of local authorities seeking exemptions to the proposed rule, including many in London. The new rights, which came into force on May 30, are in place for three years but could be extended indefinitely.<br> <br> Communities secretary Eric Pickles said that the planning change gave "a clear signal to owners, developers and local planning authorities that we want underused and outdated offices to be brought back to life, and provides an excellent opportunity to create much needed new homes." <br> <br> Stuart Robinson, CBRE's head of planning, said that the government would not have issued widespread exemptions because "it is looking to simplify the system and not bring in restrictions. But with so few restrictions, a lot of areas which are inherently unsuitable will be pressured into service. The change will lead to substandard housing."<br> <br> Local authorities exempt from the change include Kensington and Chelsea, Camden, Ashford and Sevenoaks.