Housing secretary James Brokenshire confirmed key changes to Permitted Development (PD) rights, that were first consulted on in Autumn 2018, as part of the Spring Statement including:
- Upwards Extensions: PD right to extend certain buildings upwards to deliver additional homes will be introduced with regulations in the Autumn.
- High Street Changes: PD right for town centre uses (A1, A2, A5, betting shops, pay day loan shops and launderettes) to change to officers (B1) and takeaways to change to residential use. Expected to be brought in in the spring or autumn.
- Household Rear Extensions: The temporary increase in PD extensions from 4m to 8m for detached properties and 3m to 6m for other dwellings that was due to expire at the end of May will be made permanent in the spring with an additional fee added for the required prior approval application.
- Storage to Resi PD Right to End: The temporary right for changes of use from storage to residential will not be extended and will lapse on 10 June.
A PD right to allow commercial buildings to be demolished and replaced with homes is still being considered and the Government has also committed to reviewing all PD rights for residential conversions in response to concerns over the quality of housing created.
