The government has published a consultation on proposed changes to several existing permitted development rights set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. The consultation description states the proposals aim to “provide householders with further flexibility to meet the needs of growing families and maximise the potential of existing homes”. The consultation also proposes amendments to certain rights that allow for the upward extension of a range of existing buildings and allows for the demolition of certain buildings and rebuild as homes. The consultation includes specific changes as well seeking feedback on certain matters.
The consultation closes on 9th April 2024, a link to the full consultation document can be found here (link). This includes more detail about the existing permitted development rights and the purpose of the proposed changes.
In summary the consultation seeks to enable householders to improve and enlarge their homes by:
- Increasing the maximum depth permitted for a single storey rear extension from 4m to 5m for a detached house, and 3m to 4m in any other case.
- Increasing the maximum depth permitted for two storey rear extensions from 3m to 4m (excludes dwellings in conservation areas, AONBs, the Broads, National Parks and World Heritage Sites).
- Amending the limitation that two storey extensions must be a minimum of 7m from the boundary of its curtilage (opposite the rear wall) except where the adjacent use is non-residential.
- Amending the height limitation for a two-storey rear extension where the rear extension is not visible from the street, so that the extension can be as high as the highest part of the existing roof (excluding any chimney).
- Removing the limitation that extensions and other buildings must not exceed 50% of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse.
- Seeking feedback on the current limitation that materials used in any exterior work must be of a similar appearance to the existing house.
- Permitting single storey wrap around L-shaped extensions to homes.
- Seeking feedback on any other limitations under Class A Part 1 that could be amended to further support home extensions and alterations.
- Removing the limitation that restricts the amount of roof space created by an addition or alteration to a roof (i.e. a loft extension/conversion).
- Amending the limitation that any enlargement to the roof must be set back at least 20cm from the original eaves so that the limitation only applies where the loft extension is visible from the street.
- Amending the limitation on the maximum height of a roof extension to allow the ridge height of the original roof to increase by up to 30cm in height.
- Applying the loft extension/conversion permitted rights to flats with a loft space.
- Amending the limitation of roof alterations (i.e. roof windows) to enable them to extend beyond 0.15cm of the original roof plane on elevations that do not front the highway.
- Permitting bin and bike stores in front gardens measuring max. 2m wide x 1m deep x 1.5m high (including dwellings in conservation areas, AONBs, the Broads, National Parks and World Heritage Sites).
- Removing the limitation that restricts the size of outbuildings to 10sqm within the curtilage of dwellinghouse in AONBs, the Broads, National Parks and World Heritage Sites.
- Removing permitted development rights for outbuildings within the curtilage of houses or on land that is designated as a scheduled monument.
In relation to permitted development rights for the upward extension of buildings (mixed use, commercial and residential), the consultation;
- Proposes the removal or amendment of the limitation restricting upwards extensions on buildings built before 1 April 1948. It also seeks feedback on the current prior approval process.
- Seeks views on the operation of the permitted development right and whether it incorporates sufficient mitigation to limit impacts on leaseholders.
Proposed changes to the permitted development right for demolition of certain buildings and rebuild as homes includes;
- Removal of the limitation that restricts permitted development rights to buildings built on or before 31 December 1989. It also seeks feedback on the impact of allowing newer buildings to be demolished.
- Introducing a limit on the maximum age of the original building that can be demolished.
- Allowing the rebuild footprint to exceed the footprint of the original building (benefit from permitted development rights for extensions) at the time of redevelopment only. It also seeks feedback on the current prior approval process.
To support the rollout of EV charging points the consultation proposes;
- Removal of the limitations on the size and location of wall mounted EV outlets and upstands so that they can be installed anywhere within an area lawfully used for off-street parking.
- Increasing the height restrictions of an EV upstand from 2.3m to 2.7m for installations that are not within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse or a block of flats.
- Include permitted development rights to allow for the installation of a unit for equipment housing or storage cabinets to support the operation of bigger and more powerful EV charging upstands (non-domestic).
- Further feedback on how permitted development rights can support the installation of EV charging infrastructure.
To support the decarbonisation of heating and the installation of air source heat pumps the consultation proposes;
- Removing the limitation that an air source heat pump must be at least 1m from the property boundary.
- Increasing the current size limit of 0.6 cubic metres to allow for innovation in noise reduction.
- Permitting detached dwellinghouses to install a maximum of two air source heat pumps.
- Permitting standalone blocks of flats to install more than one air source heat pump, subject to prior approval with regard to siting. It also seeks feedback on any other safeguards to be considered if the installation of more than one air source heat pump on flats is to be included.
