Planning & Infrastructure: Extended permitted development rights taking effect by the end of the month
Earlier this month the Government published its response to the “Planning Reform: Supporting the High Street and increasing the delivery of new homes” consultation from October 2018. It has also published regulations that are to come into effect on 25 May 2019.
Changes include a new permitted development right (PDR) will allow provide for hot food takeaways (A5) to residential use (C3) development. Will we suddenly see the proliferation of the McDonalds flat, the KFC apartment and the Burger King bedsit? And will developers be able to remove the lingering smell of chip fat before opening their units up for viewings. Time will tell!
The move came shortly after John Healey, Shadow Minister for Housing, made comment which slammed the introduction of the PDR policy by the Coalition Government in 2013. He argued it “created a get-out clause for developers to dodge affordable homes requirements and build slum housing”. He also described the homes created under PDR as “rabbit hutch flats”. It looks like a Corbyn Government would look to row PDR back, so if you own a fast food restaurant, its time to ditch the fried chicken and get your application submitted, quickly.
Like it or not, the policy to allow the conversion of office to residential use has already delivered 40,000 additional homes and a new Conservative Prime Minister is very unlikely to row back on this centre-piece of Tory Party planning policy.
Source: Engage CF.
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