All works carried out in England and Wales require planning permission.
Certain types of extensions and changes of use, subject to certain limits and conditions, do not require a full planning permission from a Local Planning Authority. Unless these automatic rights are removed, it can be assumed that permission is automatically granted. These forms of development are called permitted development (PD). Details about these rights and conditions relating to their use can be found on the Governments Planning Portal websiteÂ
Examples of when PD rights are removed are buildings sited in Conservation areas and with Listed Buildings etc.
The government introduced some new PD rights in May 2013. Key changes include:
- the permitted change of use from B1(a) office to C3 residential, for a period of three years.
- allowing main town centre uses (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, B1, D1 and D2) of 150m2 or less to change temporarily to a “flexible use†(use classes A1, A2, A3 or B1) for a period of two years (view in table); and
- increasing the size threshold under which rear extensions to homes are permitted development.
For full details please refer to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2013.
Further PD rights were introduced in April 2014. Key changes include:
- the permitted change of use from A1 (shop) or A2 (financial or professional service) or mixed use including residential and A1 or A2 to residential use. Please note that these new PD rights do not apply in Conservation Areas or to Listed Buildings or scheduled monuments. A maximum of 150sqm of space can be converted to residential use in any one building.
- permitted change of use from A1 to a ‘deposit taker’.
For full details please refer to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted
Development) (Amendment and Consequential Provisions) (England) Order 2014.
September 2014 – The Department for Communities and Local Government agrees to change its decision to overrule an Article 4 direction
What are Article 4 Directions?
An Article 4 Direction is an order made by a local planning authority to restrict and remove certain PD rights which would otherwise automatically be assumed to be given permission.
LCB 09/09/14