Government has today announced a public consultation on the further liberalisation of general permitted development rights in England. These rights are where householders can extend or modify their homes without the need for planning permission.
Since 2015, such alterations have typically been for modest extensions to the rear and side of properties. There were further relaxations in 2019 for e.g. upward extensions and conversions from office to residential.
The changes now being consulted on go further and can be summarised as follows:
- Changes to certain permitted development rights which enable householders to improve and enlarge their homes, make alterations or extensions to the roof, and construct buildings incidental to the enjoyment of the main house, such as bin and bike stores
- Changes to the permitted development rights which enable the installation of electrical outlets and upstands for recharging electric vehicles, including amending the rights to allow the installation of wall-mounted and upstand electrical outlets within 2 metres of a highway
- Changes to the permitted development right for the installation of air source heat pumps on domestic premises
- Changes to the building upwards permitted development rights which enable the upward extension of a range of existing buildings
- Changes to the permitted development right which allows for the demolition of certain buildings and rebuild as homes
Whilst these proposed changes aim to provide flexibility to householders so that they can alter and extend their homes, a key Government driver is to speed up the planning process so that such extensions could take place without the need to go through the formal planning application process.
Responses are being sought from householders, as well as local authorities, representative bodies, and businesses. This consultation will last for 8 weeks from 13 February 2024 to 9 April 2024.
Further details can be found here: Changes to various permitted development rights: consultation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)