Government proposes expansion of permitted development - your opinion needed

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) is seeking opinions on proposed changes to permitted development rights. These are designed to support the delivery of housing in England by allowing more development to be carried out using permitted development rights rather than full planning permission.

The consultation – open until 28 January 2021 – seeks views on changing the use of commercial, business or service buildings to residential to create new homes; measures to support public service infrastructure through the planning system; and the simplification and consolidation of existing permitted development rights following changes to the Use Classes Order.

If approved, the changes would make it easier for developers to convert restaurants, retail outlets, commercial premises and sports centres to residential use.

Opinions are also sought on whether the change should apply in protected areas such as National Parks, conservation areas and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Building regulations and other regulations such as Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulation would still apply, but the proposal would not apply to pubs, live venues and theatres which will remain protected.

Additional considerations

MHCLG are also proposing the extension of permitted development rights so that extensions can be added to public buildings such as hospitals, schools and prisons without the need for planning permission.

They are also seeking opinions on the speeding up of the planning process for public infrastructure projects that will still require planning permission by prioritising them.

Further information

The consultation closes on 28 January 2021 and is open for anyone to comment. Voice your opinion here.

Further details on recent changes to permitted development can be found here:

• The Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development and Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 [SI 2020 No 632], which came into force on 1 August 2020.
  
   
• The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2020 [SI 2020 No 755], which came into force on 31 August 2020.
  
   
• The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No 4) Order 2020 [SI 2020 No 1459], which came into force on 30 December 2020.