Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 25
25
Housing has a valuable role to play in mixed-use high streets, but we are not...
Recommendation
Housing has a valuable role to play in mixed-use high streets, but we are not convinced that extending permitted development rights from Use Class E to residential is the right way to address either the housing shortage or the regeneration of high streets and town centres. We are concerned that the Government’s current approach may introduce so much flexibility as to create an imbalance between housing and other high street uses. We are not persuaded that the Government has sufficient evidence to justify extending permitted development rights in this way, without any pilots. As part of the review of permitted development rights which we recommended in our recent report on the same subject, the Government should include an evaluation of their impact on high streets and town centres, including Article 4 directions. (Paragraph 117) Business rates and taxation
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Our aim in bringing forward the permitted development right for the change of use from Commercial, Business and Service use to residential is to support housing delivery, diversify our high streets and support the wider economy. We accept that this permitted development right has potential to deliver significant change. It is our view that the structural changes in our town centers require effective action to bring about change. We have recently amended national policy in respect of Article 4 directions to ensure that they are targeted and well-evidenced so that there is a clear justification for their introduction and must only apply to the smallest geographical area possible to accomplish their objective.