Jeremy Hunt, in his recent Autumn Statement, introduced several changes to the permitted development rights as part of a broader plan to reform the planning system in the UK. Here's an overview of the key changes and their implications:
Increased Planning Authority Control: Local councils and planning authorities will now have the ability to set planning fees for major developments. This change allows planning authorities to charge developers directly for planning applications, a shift from the current system where fees are determined by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities.
Deadline for Decision Making: A specific deadline will be set for making a decision on planning applications. If this deadline is not met, developers will be entitled to a full refund of their application fee.
Financial Support for Planning Authorities: The Autumn Statement includes £110 million for nutrient neutrality schemes and £32 million to address the planning backlog, particularly focusing on housing developments in Cambridge, London, and Leeds. An additional £5 million will be allocated to encourage greater use of local development orders in England.
Expansion of Permitted Development Rights: One of the major changes is the expansion of permitted development rights. This will allow developers and property owners to make certain changes to their properties without the need for full planning processes. For example, a landlord can now convert a house into two flats without obtaining planning permission, provided the exterior of the building remains unaffected.
These changes aim to streamline the planning process, reduce bureaucracy, and address housing shortages. However, there is some criticism about the potential impact on the quality of housing, with concerns that allowing houses to be split into flats could lead to lower-quality properties.
As for the effective date of these regulatory changes, specific dates have not been provided, suggesting that these changes will be implemented gradually or pending further announcements or consultations.
These changes are part of the UK government's efforts to address the housing crisis and promote infrastructure development necessary for achieving net-zero goals.
Comments