Concerns raised towards the new permission

At the end of March, the Government gave the go-ahead to newly extended permitted development rights. This means commercial premises such as offices, shops and hospitality can now be converted into new homes without planning permission.

Not everyone is happy about this. The RICS, RIBA, RTPI and CIOB have written a joint letter to the Government to raise concerns about the drive to replace businesses with residential space, believing that not enough thought has been given to the future impact this could have on our town and city centres The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, which examines the policies delivered by MHCLG, is also looking into the potential impact of the way permitted development rights are now being used. To find out what stakeholders and the public think, the committee has issued a Call for Evidence looking at permitted development which includes gathering views on commercial-to-residential conversions.

Questions include:

:

• What role should permitted development rights (PDR) play in the planning system
• What is the impact of PDR on the quality and quantity of new housing, including affordable and social housing?
• What is the impact of PDR on local planning authorities, developer contributions and the provision of infrastructure and services?
• What is the impact of PDR on the ability of local authorities to plan development and shape their local communities?
• Is the government right to argue that PDR supports business and economic growth?
• What is the impact of PDR on the involvement of local communities in the planning process?
• Should the government reform PDR? If so, how?

This inquiry is open until Friday 30 April 2021. So if you have strong views of your own on this, click here to read the Call for Evidence in full and submit your comments.