Further details of the forthcoming permitted development rights for ‘upward extensions’ have been announced. From the 1st August 2020 it will be possible, subject to (unsurprisingly) a number of caveats, to apply, via the prior approval route, to extend a purpose built block of flats upwards. The flats must have an existing height of more than 3 storeys. Further restrictions include amongst other considerations that the flats must not be listed, within a conservation area and that the finished height must be below 30m.
On reading the forthcoming legislation Giles Moir, Director at Chapman Lily Planning, was of the view that “the tight restrictions that the Government have included in the legislation may mean that in practice we see fewer opportunities to create additional homes compared to the those delivered by office to residential conversions – despite the upward extension opportunity, it may be that in this case the sky is an aspiration rather than the limit”.
If you have any sites which you feel may benefit from the forthcoming changes please contact us on 01929 553818.