In the last few years, the Government has introduced several changes to Permitted Developments (PD) rights to encourage a more flexible use of buildings, support housing growth, and respond to changing lifestyles, such as the rise in home working. Here’s a summary of the main changes:
1. Upward Extensions for Additional Storeys on Residential Buildings
Homeowners can now add up to two additional storeys to detached houses built between 1948 and 2018 without full planning permission. For terraced or semi-detached houses, one additional storey is permitted.
This is subject to a prior approval process, where the local authority reviews the proposal for impacts on issues like privacy, daylight for neighbouring properties, and structural safety.
The additional height cannot exceed 3.5 metres above the existing roofline for terraced and semi-detached homes, or 7 metres for detached houses.
2. Changes of Use to Residential (Class MA)
Buildings under Class E (previously multiple classes like A1 for shops, A2 for financial services, B1 for offices) can be converted to residential use without full planning permission. This change supports the conversion of retail spaces, restaurants, and offices into housing.
A prior approval application is required to assess the impact on flood risk, highways, natural light, and noise from nearby commercial premises.
The floor space that can be converted is capped at 1,500 square metres.
3. Flexible Use within Class E
The government combined several commercial uses (such as retail, restaurants, and offices) into a new Class E use class. Within Class E, businesses can change the use of a building (e.g., from a shop to a café or office) without planning permission.
This change supports greater flexibility and adaptability of town centres and high streets, allowing businesses to respond to shifting demand and trends.
4. Larger Home Extensions (Prior Approval Required)
The previously temporary right to extend detached houses up to 8 metres and attached houses up to 6 metres from the rear wall is now permanent, but it requires a prior approval process.
The local authority can object if neighbours raise reasonable concerns regarding privacy or overbearing impact.
5. Additional Storeys for Purpose-Built Blocks of Flats
Purpose-built blocks of flats can add up to two additional storeys under PD rights, subject to prior approval. This aims to increase housing density without expanding land use.
This right includes checks on structural integrity, design compatibility, and the impact on neighbouring properties.
6. Demolition and Redevelopment of Vacant Commercial Buildings (Class ZA)
Certain vacant commercial, residential, and light industrial buildings can now be demolished and rebuilt as residential without full planning permission.
The building must have been vacant for at least six months and built before 1990. This allows for redevelopment without needing to go through the full planning process.
Redevelopment is subject to prior approval and must consider impact on transport, contamination, flooding, and the design’s appearance in the local context.
7. Restrictions and Considerations
These rights do not apply in protected areas like conservation areas, National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Listed buildings and buildings located within World Heritage Sites also remain excluded from these PD rights.
These changes aim to streamline the planning process for home and building owners and encourage flexible uses of existing spaces.
We would always recommend checking with a suitably qualified professional before submitting any applications to ensure the correct planning application route is used.
At BBP, we have worked on a number of projects recently which have explored the benefits of PD rights and would be happy to chat about our experiences and how we can help you to maximise the potential of your site so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
