Architects have given a cautious welcome to education secretary Michael Gove's announcement that he will relax planning rules to make it easier to turn derelict hospitals, shops and pubs into "free schools".
But they warned that myriad other regulations could halt the idea in its tracks, from health and safety to disability discrimination laws.
A forthcoming education bill will change the planning rules to permit the redesignation of commercial and residential buildings for use as schools. Gove hopes this will help parents who want to open schools in expensive inner city areas.
The RIBA said it was "broadly supportive" because of the work it would provide for architects and the carbon emissions that would be saved by retrofitting existing buildings.
Schools architect Brian Vermuelen, of Cottrell & Vermeulen, said: "It's a really interesting idea making it easier to recycle buildings, but beware the cost of adapting them.
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