DCLG launches consultation on extension to permitted development rights

The DCLG consultation seeks views on five proposals for permitted development rights to allow:

• shops and financial and professional services to change use to a dwelling house;
• existing buildings used for agricultural purposes of up to 150 square metres to change to residential use;
• retail uses to change to banks and building societies only;
• premises used as offices, hotels, residential and non-residential institutions, and leisure and assembly to be able to change use to nurseries providing childcare; and
• a building used for agricultural purposes of up to 500 square metres to be used as a new state funded school or a nursery providing childcare.

The changes are expected to come into force in April 2014.

Planning Minister Nick Boles said: “Thousands of empty and underused buildings, often on the edge of town centres, are going to waste because people do not want the hassle and uncertainty of submitting a planning application.

“Removing this barrier will bring more people closer to their town centres, providing a much needed boost to local shops and ensuring we make the most of buildings that are already there for new homes, nurseries and schools this country needs.”

The minister added: “Extending these permitted development rights on brownfield land will benefit all communities – whether in towns or the countryside.”

More details on the consultation, which closes on 15 October 2013, can be found here.