Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 14 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Permitted Development

Question: Does the Minister agree that one of the significant factors behind the concreting of gardens, which has become a highly emotive issue in suburban constituencies, is the gradual encroachment of permitted development? Does he think that it would be useful to take a fresh look at the balance to be struck between the understandable wish of people to improve their property and the wider environmental impact?

Answer: The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. I know that his constituency was affected by last year's floods, and I pay tribute to the emergency services, local authorities and others in pulling together to address them. He rightly raises the point about balance: there is a balance to be struck in making sure that householders are able to improve their homes without bureaucracy. That frees up a lot of bureaucracy within the local authority system, and it helps encourage, as much as possible, sustainability. Those are the principles behind the permitted development rights we have introduced for impermeable surfaces for front gardens, and I am keen to look at that their application to rear gardens as well.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 480 c665-6
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Building alterations Housing Housing improvement Gardens Planning permission Permitted development rights
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk