MHCLG announced further changes to the range of permitted development rights where they will lead to the delivery of new housing.
These latest changes respond to a range of criticisms of the range of permitted development rights introduced in 2013 had resulted in the creation of flats with no windows and units of no more that 12-15m2 in some worst case scenarios because the permitted development rights had left the internal design and layout of the flats outside the scope for scheme assessment.
With each new amendment to the permitted development rights we are seeing efforts to correct some of the flaws of earlier iterations of the assessment to allow for some basic consideration of the suitability of the location and the impacts of the scheme.
The most recent changes introduced by the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick this week commit that all new homes delivered by a permitted development right must met the minimum space standards set out in Nationally Described Space Standard first published in 2015.
This Standard, which a number of planning authorities have built into development plan policies establishes a minimum internal requirement for dwellings starting with 37m2 for a 1 person 1 bed flat up to between 117 – 124m2 for a 4 bedroom dwelling.
This change is a useful balance to the criticisms hitherto levelled at the permitted development schemes that without a full appraisal by the planning authority poor quality development is the inevitable outcome. It also provides a useful reminder as we potentially move towards a Design Code led approach to planning of the need to establish a comprehensive framework against which the acceptability of Design Code led development will be assessed.
Chapman Lily have considerable experience in delivering good development through both permitted development and planning application routes and would be please to assist you clarify how best to approach your development proposals.