Home / Sources / Select Committees / Housing, Communities and Loca… / Permitted Development Rights
Index live
Select Committee · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Permitted Development Rights

Status: Closed Opened: 23 Mar 2021 Closed: 23 May 2023 7 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

The aim of this short inquiry is to examine the Government’s recent and proposed changes to permitted development rights in respect of large-scale development, commercial-to-residential conversions and changes of use between different types of commercial and retail premises. In particular, the inquiry will explore their role in supporting economic growth and their impact on local … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Permitted Development Rights HC 32 22 Jul 2021 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
1 Conclusion Third Report - Permitted Development Ri… Not Addressed

The Government’s recent changes to the use class system and the introduction of the class...

The Government’s recent changes to the use class system and the introduction of the class MA permitted development right are a continuation of the policy of successive governments since 2013 of using PDR to speed up housing delivery. We understand the intention behind residential PDRs. We also support the use … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government reiterates its belief in the important role of permitted development rights for housing, renewable energy, and high streets, stating they reduce bureaucratic burdens and support brownfield development. It does not address the committee's concern about the PDR regime's complexity.
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
2 Conclusion Third Report - Permitted Development Ri… Not Addressed

To date, the Government has not explained how its PDR regime fits within the wider...

To date, the Government has not explained how its PDR regime fits within the wider planning system or its proposed reforms in the planning White Paper. In particular, the recent extensions to permitted development appear to contradict the increased focus on plan-led development and local democratic involvement, and to fatally … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government defends the continued role of permitted development rights as an important delivery tool for housing and high streets, and for reducing burdens on local authorities. However, it does not directly explain how the PDR regime fits within the wider planning system or addresses …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
7 Recommendation Third Report - Permitted Development Ri… Not Addressed

The Government should clarify why it considers it necessary to amend paragraph 53 of the...

The Government should clarify why it considers it necessary to amend paragraph 53 of the National Planning Policy Framework, and set out how the new wording addresses the issues it is seeking to resolve. In addition, we recommend that the Government monitor whether the changes to paragraph 53 give councils … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government defends its amendment to paragraph 53 and the new Class E, stating they support diversification and housing delivery. It explains that compensation for Article 4 directions is common practice due to primary legislation but does not commit to allowing faster application without compensation …
Read full response →
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Jun 2021 Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Simon Gallagher · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government View ↗
7 Jun 2021 Ben Southwood · Policy Exchange, Dr Ben Clifford · Bartlett School of Planning, University College London, John Myers · YIMBY Alliance, Matthew Davis · Institute of Place Management, Ojay McDonald · Association of Town and City Management, Sarah Bevan · London First View ↗
17 May 2021 Cllr Rachel Blake · Local Government Association, Ian Fletcher · British Property Federation, James Wickham · London Property Alliance, John Bibby · Shelter, Mark Tufnell · Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Mark Worringham · Reading Council View ↗

Who gave evidence

14 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Ben Southwood · Head of Housing, Transport, and Urban Space Policy Exchange 1
Cllr Rachel Blake · Environment, Economy, Housing and Transport Board Local Government Association 1
Dr Ben Clifford · Associate Professor in Spatial Planning and Gover… Bartlett School of Planning, University College London 1
Ian Fletcher · Director of Policy British Property Federation 1
James Wickham · Representative London Property Alliance 1
John Bibby · Policy Manager Shelter 1
John Myers · Representative YIMBY Alliance 1
Mark Tufnell · President Country Land and Business Association (CLA) 1
Mark Worringham · Planning Policy Team Leader Reading Council 1
Matthew Davis · Head of Membership Institute of Place Management 1
Ojay McDonald · CEO Association of Town and City Management 1
Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP · Minister for Housing Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1
Sarah Bevan · Programme Director, Planning and Development London First 1
Simon Gallagher · Planning Director Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 1

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
27 Jun 2023 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning dated 2…
28 Feb 2023 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 27 February 2023 concerni…
26 Apr 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 19 April 2022 concernin…
6 Jul 2021 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 30 June 2021 concerning…