We recommend that the government adopt a reuse-first approach to housing policy, prioritising the conversion of vacant and under-used heritage buildings before pursuing new build. This approach should embed reuse as a clear priority in the National Planning Policy Framework, directing departments to assess reuse options for surplus sites and ensure that major housing funding mechanisms—including the National Housing Delivery Fund and related Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government programmes—actively support heritage-led schemes, with clear criteria and incentives to address viability barriers. Such an approach must be underpinned by clear safeguards to ensure that reuse does not come at the expense of heritage value, public access or the vitality of high streets. (Recommendation, Paragraph 19)