Permitted Development Rights

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 23 Mar 2021 Closed: 23 May 2023 Parliament page
The aim of this short inquiry is to examine the Government’s recent and proposed changes to permitted development rights in respect of large-scale development, commercial-to-residential conversions and changes of use between different types of commercial and retail premises. In particular, the inquiry will explore their role in supporting economic growth … Read more
7 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
4 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
27 Jun
2023
Correspondence
23 May
2023
Report published
28 Feb
2023
Correspondence
26 Apr
2022
Correspondence
22 Jul
2021
Report published
6 Jul
2021
Correspondence
16 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
16 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
7 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
7 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
17 May
2021
Oral evidence
17 May
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
16 Jun 2021
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Oral evidence
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
7 Jun 2021
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Oral evidence
Ben Southwood · Policy Exchange Dr Ben Clifford · Bartlett School of Planning, University College London John Myers · YIMBY Alliance Matthew Davis · Institute of Place Management Ojay McDonald · Association of Town and City Management Sarah Bevan · London First
17 May 2021
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Oral evidence
Cllr Rachel Blake · Local Government Association Ian Fletcher · British Property Federation James Wickham · London Property Alliance John Bibby · Shelter Mark Tufnell · Country Land and Business Association (CLA) Mark Worringham · Reading Council
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Permitted Development Rights HC 32 22 Jul 2021 14 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
14 results
1 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
The Government’s recent changes to the use class system and the introduction of the class...
The Government’s recent changes to the use class system and the introduction of the class MA permitted development right are a continuation of the policy of successive governments since 2013 of using PDR to speed up housing delivery. We understand … Read more
Government Response
We believe that permitted development rights can continue to play an important role in the planning system alongside our wider planning changes. They can be an important delivery tool for … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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2 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
To date, the Government has not explained how its PDR regime fits within the wider...
To date, the Government has not explained how its PDR regime fits within the wider planning system or its proposed reforms in the planning White Paper. In particular, the recent extensions to permitted development appear to contradict the increased focus … Read more
Government Response
We believe that permitted development rights can continue to play an important role in the planning system alongside our wider planning changes. They can be an important delivery tool for … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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3 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
We recommend the Government pause any further extensions of permitted development rights for change of...
We recommend the Government pause any further extensions of permitted development rights for change of use to residential, including the new class MA right, which is due to take effect on 1 August, and conduct a review of their role … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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4 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
The prior approval process is the principal mechanism by which local planning authorities can control...
The prior approval process is the principal mechanism by which local planning authorities can control permitted development in their areas, and we welcome the recent inclusion of more criteria, but we are concerned about its increasing complexity and the consequent … Read more
Government Response
Longstanding planning law provides that permitted development rights can be subject to local consideration of particular planning matters, known as prior approval. This enables local authorities to consider important planning … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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5 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
As we have already recommended, the Government should review the role of permitted development rights...
As we have already recommended, the Government should review the role of permitted development rights in the planning system. As part of that review, it should consider how to amend the prior approval process to both simplify it and give … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
Local councils should be able to protect certain areas from permitted developments rights where they...
Local councils should be able to protect certain areas from permitted developments rights where they have legitimate concerns about the impact on town centres, high streets and commercial centres. We welcome the amendment to the proposed changes to the National … Read more
Government Response
The Commercial, Business and Service use class (E) has, since 1 September 2020, supported the diversification of our high streets, enabling premises to move to wider range of commercial and … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
The Government should clarify why it considers it necessary to amend paragraph 53 of the...
The Government should clarify why it considers it necessary to amend paragraph 53 of the National Planning Policy Framework, and set out how the new wording addresses the issues it is seeking to resolve. In addition, we recommend that the … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
We broadly welcome the new use class E, as we can see the advantages of...
We broadly welcome the new use class E, as we can see the advantages of greater flexibility, but it should not permit development to bypass the sequential test or risk the loss of medical centres. As we have already recommended, … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
We support the Government’s aim of revitalising our high streets and town centres, but we...
We support the Government’s aim of revitalising our high streets and town centres, but we are concerned that the new class MA right could undermine attempts to do so. The current requirement that properties need only have been vacant from … Read more
Government Response
The 2020 Supporting housing delivery and public service infrastructure1 consultation document set the proposed right in the broader context of changes to the high street: changing consumer behavior, including the … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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10 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
The Government should either extend the vacancy period or devise a test that can be...
The Government should either extend the vacancy period or devise a test that can be applied to properties to make sure they are not still viable as class E premises. It should consider the most appropriate vacancy period or test … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
When compared to the overall number of new homes being delivered, it appears that permitted...
When compared to the overall number of new homes being delivered, it appears that permitted development rights have made a contribution to the supply of new homes, although the precise number is difficult to calculate given the likelihood that some … Read more
Government Response
We believe that permitted development rights can continue to play an important role in the planning system alongside our wider planning changes. They can be an important delivery tool for … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
View details
12 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
As already recommended, the Government should pause any further extensions of permitted development, including the...
As already recommended, the Government should pause any further extensions of permitted development, including the new class MA right, which is due to take effect on 1 August, and conduct a review of all PDRs for change of use to … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Conclusion
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
Housing delivered under permitted development can have as great an impact on local infrastructure and...
Housing delivered under permitted development can have as great an impact on local infrastructure and the delivery of services as housing built through the full planning process. It should therefore contribute to the cost of offsetting its negative impact. The … Read more
Government Response
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill sets out the framework for the new Infrastructure Levy. The non-negotiable and locally set Infrastructure Levy will give greater say to local councils on … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Recommendation
Third Report - Permitted Developme…
Whatever the Government’s long-term plans for permitted development and the Infrastructure Levy, we recommend it...
Whatever the Government’s long-term plans for permitted development and the Infrastructure Levy, we recommend it legislate as soon as possible to ensure that permitted development contributes towards the cost of providing the infrastructure and affordable housing needed to offset any … Read more
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Correspondence 4 letters
27 Jun 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 26 June 2023 concerning the Government's response to the Committee's report on Permitted Development Rights
Parliament page
28 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 27 February 2023 concerning the Government's response to the Committee's report on Permitted Development Rights
Parliament page
26 Apr 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 19 April 2022 concerning Government responses to the Committee's reports on the Future of the Planning System in England and Permitted Development Rights
Parliament page
6 Jul 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 30 June 2021 concerning the Minister's appearance before the Committee on 16 June in connection with the inquiry into Permitted Development Rights
Parliament page