Article
07 October, 2020
The imaginatively named Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2020 came into effect on 31 August 2020 and is the second phase of the Government's permitted development rights relating to upward extensions.
The government stated that it would introduce new tools to support communities to densify and make best use of their underutilised brownfield land including introducing new rules to encourage building upwards and consulting on a new permitted development rights (PDR - that is the right to develop land without the need for a full planning decision) to allow vacant commercial buildings, industrial buildings and residential blocks to be demolished and replaced with well-designed new residential units which meet natural light standards.
Firstly, there is now the PDR right to extend an existing home: Class AA allows for the enlargement of a dwelling-house by construction of additional storeys.
The new PD right allows most existing houses to be extended upwards to provide additional living space by constructing additional storeys, subject to prior approval. This right could be to provide more space for growing families, or to accommodate elderly relatives, without having to move house for instance.
The new Class AA (enlargement of a dwelling-house by construction of additional storeys) amends Part 1 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and allows:
Secondly new PDR changes for the construction of new homes have been introduced Classes AA, AB, AC and AD of Part 20 of Schedule 2 of the 2015 Order which in summary allow for:-
The rules don't apply in conservation areas, national parks etc, and the developer is still required to seek approval from the local authority who will in turn notify adjacent property owners and other statutory undertakers. The local authority must respond with a decision within 8 weeks.
While this pre-approval may be closer to a planning application than would be preferred, the PD route to development does offer a step away from possible section 106 Agreement contributions or affordable housing requirements associated with the larger planning requirements.
The government are continuing to press on with streamlining the planning system, support economic recovery from COVID-19 by encouraging development, and while there are aspects to consider in detail, it provides developers and property professionals with opportunities to innovate.
For more information contact Matthew Jones in our Construction & Infrastructure department via email or phone on 01254 222316. Alternatively send any question through to Forbes Solicitors via our online Contact Form.
Learn more about our Construction & Infrastructure department here
Get in touch to see how our experts could help you.
Monday to Friday:
09:00 to 17:00
Saturday and Sunday:
Closed