As part of the Coalition’s Growth and Infrastructure Bill the Government announced that it would extend permitted development rights for a period of three years, in order to facilitate and make it easier for homeowners and businesses to extend their properties.
The main permitted development proposals area;
- Increasing the size limits for the depth of single-storey domestic extensions from 4m to 8m (for detached houses) and from 3m to 6m (for all other houses), in non-protected areas, for a period of three years. No changes are proposed for extensions of more than one storey;
- Increasing the size limits for extensions to shop and professional/financial services establishments to 100m², and allowing the building of these extensions up to the boundary of the property (except where the boundary is with a residential property), in non-protected areas, for a period of three years;
- Increasing the size limits for extensions to offices to 100m², in non-protected areas, for a period of three years;
- Increasing the size limits for new industrial buildings within the curtilage of existing industrial premises to 200m², in non-protected areas, for a period of three years;
- Removing some prior approval requirements for the installation of broadband infrastructure for a period of five years.
These proposed changes were consulted upon for the 12th November 2012 and ended on 24th December 2012.
This Bill is due to reach the Commons on April 16th 2013 in which it is thought these changes will come into force.
However there is wide speculation that there are a number of Conservatives who are willing to fight against the relaxation to the permitted development rules. This includes Zac Goldsmith former advisor to David Cameron on green issues, who stated; “this policy simply rips up all local input, and is a recipe for guaranteed hostilities between neighbours”.
It is understood that there has been a positive reaction from fellow MPs supporting Mr Goldsmith’s campaign.
Labour are expected to oppose the permitted development changes, less than 50 Tory rebels will be needed to defeat the Government.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Local Councils and English Heritage have grave concerns over the proposed changes and are urging MPs to vote for councils to be allowed to opt out of the Chancellor’s plan.
Let’s see what the outcome will be on April 16th – maybe finally we will have a definitive answer.