Hi Abcd,
So we have had a good look around and found a few Commercial properties that suited us. As Brendan explained, going from Commercial to Residential in the permitted zoned areas are favoured. We did a lot of ground work on foot, within a couple of hours we had spoken to owners, builders, solicitors, owners of mixed use buildings and got a fair idea that basically if within the commercial area there are residential buildings in situ, there is a very good case for conversion and there are plenty doing it. As regards estate agents and even the good ones there was a lot of 'flannel' [not the commercial we were looking at but pre 63's are all but sold I'm told] and that's not true for sure and a chat with the planning dept was good. I would like to find someone within the planning dept to liaise with and I haven't got that far yet. So all in all I have no reservations about our plans and would be happy to discuss any future findings that might be beneficial. Good luck and if it's what you want, go for it, plenty will say your mad, but it only someone's opinion and not their money! All the best.