(1)The local housing authority or a person interested in a house may apply to the county court where—
(a)owing to changes in the character of the neighbourhood in which the house is situated, it cannot readily be let as a single tenement but could readily be let for occupation if converted into two or more tenements, or
(b)planning permission has been granted under Part III of the [1971 c. 78.] Town and Country Planning Act 1971 (general planning control) for the use of the house as converted into two or more separate dwelling-houses instead of as a single dwelling-house,
and the conversion is prohibited or restricted by the provisions of the lease of the house, or by a restrictive covenant affecting the house, or otherwise.
(2)The court may, after giving any person interested an opportunity of being heard, vary the terms of the lease or other instrument imposing the prohibition or restriction, subject to such conditions and upon such terms as the court may think just.