1 MAY 2018
In recent years there has been a significant expansion in permitted development (PD) rights in England. This Insights report brings together the key findings from two pieces of research, commissioned by the RICS Research Trust, to provide evidence about the extent, usage and implications of new PD rights. Impacts identified in the research relate to rural planning, the provision of affordable housing and the role of local authorities in place making.
The expansion of PD rights means, inter alia, that many more types of building conversion can now proceed without having to go through the full formal planning procedure in England. The main argument in favour of PD rights is that they remove unnecessary administrative impediments to development imposed by the planning system. Concerns, however, have been raised about both the principles and the specific impacts of different categories of PD.
Two teams, led by Peter Bibby and John Henneberry from the University of Sheffield and by Ben Clifford from University College London, were commissioned to investigate the impact of these changes, using complementary methodologies. The first team’s research involved a quantitative review of PD across England, assessing the extent, pattern and financial consequences of PD. The second team’s research, looked specifically into office-to-residential PD in England (and, for comparison, in Scotland and the Netherlands). Five local authority (LA) case studies were examined (Camden, Croydon, Leeds, Leicester and Reading).
Impacts identified by the research include:
In response to these challenges, the report makes a series of recommendations to central and local government, local communities and civic groups and developers and their agents.
Providing information to stimulate debate and promote leading-edge thinking.
19 February 2019
Glasgow
20 February 2019
Edinburgh
6 March 2019
Birmingham
19 June 2018
Research
1 May 2018
Research
1 May 2018
Research