The Prime Minister has unveiled radical changes to the planning system as part of his plans to “build, build, build” the UK out of the coronavirus crisis. The changes are intended both to keep the construction sector active and to keep a supply of new homes to address the country’s long standing shortage.
It is said to be the most radical reforms to our planning system since the Second World War, making it easier to build better homes. The government will launch a Policy Paper later this month setting out how it intends to overhaul the planning system.
The new regulations will give greater freedom for developers to convert vacant and redundant buildings, including newly-vacant shops into homes without the need for planning permission. Also, developers will no longer need planning application to demolish and rebuild vacant and redundant residential and commercial buildings if they are rebuilt as homes.
Property owners will also be able to build additional space above their properties via a fast track approval process, subject to neighbour consultation. Making upwards extensions a PD right was first raised in October 2018.
The new rules are set to come into effect by September.
