Extended 'Permitted Development Rights' are due to come into force later this week,  the updated legislation will allow for greater flexibility for the change of use of commercial and town centre uses and also make permanent the permitted development rights for larger home extensions. The Government has decided not to introduce permitted development rights for upward extensions. This suggestion proved to be particularly controversial when the Government consulted on these plans in late 2018.

The legislation creates a new class, JA of the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), which allows local authorities to consider proposals for the conversion of shops and other high street uses such as takeaways and launderettes to offices under the prior approval process. Class M already allows retail and sui generis uses to be converted to residential without the need for planning permission, but the new regulations would allow takeaways to be converted to housing.

The legislation also makes permanent the provisions for 'Larger Home Extensions', which were due to come to an end on the 30 May 2019. These permitted development rights allow for domestic extensions of up to 8 metres (from 4 metres) for a detached house and 6 metres (from 3 metres) for all other houses. There is a prior approval process to follow and neighbour consultation does take place; however, these rights remove the requirement to submit a detailed planning application.

Existing permitted development rights to convert buildings used for storage to residential use, due to end on 10 June 2019, will not be extended.

To read the legislation in full, please click here.
Please get in touch with PFK Planning to discuss any potential development opportunities, call us on 01768 890140 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..