Further Changes to Permitted Development Announced Thursday, 9th April 2015

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced a series of new planning measures, including further changes to Permitted Development Rights, in another demonstration of the Government’s commitment to streamlining the planning system, and making it easier to deliver residential development.

The new Permitted Development Rights, which will come into force on 15th April, include:

• Change of use from Storage and Distribution (Class B8) to Residential for a period of 3 years;
• Change of use from Casino/Amusement Arcade to Residential, with limited enabling works;
• Change of use from Retail to Restaurant/Café (Class A3);
• Change of use from Retail to Assembly and Leisure (Class D2)

The new rights will be subject to a Prior Approval process.

In addition, the Permitted Development Right for larger household extensions, originally introduced in 2013, has been extended for a further 3 years, until May 2019. The previously time-limited rights for extensions to non-domestic premises (offices, shops, industrial buildings and schools etc.) have been made permanent.

No decision has yet been made on whether the existing Permitted Development Right for conversion of offices to residential, which expires in May 2016, will be extended or made permanent. Pickles’ statement advises that the government will “further consider the case for extending the office to residential reforms, which are helping provide more new homes on brownfield land” after the General Election.

If you would like further information in relation to any of the above changes, and how this may affect your property or business, please do not hesitate to contact Ingleton Wood’s Planning Team: sarah.hornbrook@ingletonwood.co.uk or 01603 666847.