Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Lord Carlile of Berriew (Crossbench) on Tuesday, 4 September 2018, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 September 2018. It was answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 September 2018 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Change of Use

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recommendations in the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ publication, Assessing the impacts of extending permitted development rights to office-to-residential change of use in England, published in May, that minimum space standards should apply to permitted development schemes.

Answer

National permitted development rights play an important role in the planning system, providing flexibility, reducing bureaucracy and making the most effective use of existing buildings. The permitted development right for the change of use from office to residential is making an important contribution to the delivery of new homes across the country. Nationally, over 17,700 homes were delivered under the right in the year to March 2017, accounting for 8 per cent of national housing delivery.

All homes, whether granted permission on a planning application or through a national permitted development right, are required to meet Building Regulations, including fire safety.

Local planning authorities can make an Article 4 direction to remove a permitted development right where it is felt that it is necessary to protect the amenity or wellbeing of an area. This then requires a planning application which the local planning authority can determine in accordance with local plan policies.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9931
Session
2017-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Business premises Housing Standards Change of use Permitted development rights
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk