DCLG consults on controversial extension to permitted development rights

The Government has launched a consultation on controversial proposals to increase permitted development rights for extensions to homes and business premises in non-protected areas.

The amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 are also intended to allow quicker installation of broadband infrastructure.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said it was proposing action in five areas:

• “Increasing the size limits for the depth of single-storey domestic extensions from 4m to 8m (for detached houses) and from 3m to 6m (for all other houses), in non-protected areas, for a period of three years. No changes are proposed for extensions of more than one storey.
• Increasing the size limits for extensions to shop and professional/financial services establishments to 100m2, and allowing the building of these extensions up to the boundary of the property (except where the boundary is with a residential property), in non-protected areas, for a period of three years.
• Increasing the size limits for extensions to offices to 100m2, in non-protected areas, for a period of three years.
• Increasing the size limits for new industrial buildings within the curtilage of existing industrial premises to 200m2, in non-protected areas, for a period of three years.
• Removing some prior approval requirements for the installation of broadband infrastructure for a period of five years.”

The consultation paper also said the Government wanted to explore whether there was scope to use permitted development to make it easier to carry out garage conversions.

The DCLG said the new rights would not apply in protected areas such as National Parks, conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest and would not remove the requirement for separate listed building consent.

It added that the requirements of other regimes – such as building regulations, the Party Wall Act or environmental legislation – would also not be removed.

Planning Minister Nick Boles said: "These proposed reforms will make it easier for thousands of hard working families to undertake home improvements to cater for a growing family or to build a conservatory.

"Homeowners and businesses must be allowed to meet their aspirations for improving their homes and premises but this won't be at the expense of neighbours, communities and protected areas."

The DCLG claimed that up to 40,000 families a year wishing to build “straightforward” extensions would benefit from the proposals.

It added: “The large majority of homeowner applications are uncontroversial: around 200,000 are submitted each year, and almost 90% are approved, in almost all cases at officer level. The application process adds costs and delays, and in many cases adds little value.”

However, a number of local authorities have expressed concern at the proposed changes.

A copy of the consultation paper can be viewed here. The deadline for submission of responses is 24 December.