- Proposals will make it easier to convert larger shops and
offices into new homes
- New rules to extend residential homes and convert lofts into
accommodation to support families to grow.
- Cutting red tape to upgrade barns into homes and repurpose
agricultural buildings.
New freedoms to extend homes, convert lofts and renovate old
buildings alongside proposals that will allow larger commercial
buildings to convert to provide much-needed homes will be
announced tomorrow. [Monday]. This is part of a significant
package of measures to support housebuilding in the right places
and boost growth.
Speaking to an audience in central London, the Housing and
Levelling Up Secretary, , will outline new reforms to
build more homes in the right places by allowing homebuilding
where it makes most sense with local people are at the heart of
decision making.
The review into permitted development rights (PDRs) will aim to:
- Make it easier for homeowners to build upwards and outwards –
with new extensions and loft conversions - whilst ensuring
neighbours’ interests are protected. This will allow families to
expand their home as their family grows and help small local
builders to move forward with projects in their
communities.
- New flexibilities to convert shops, takeaways and betting
shops into homes - helping to rejuvenate the high street and
densify inner cities rather than encouraging urban sprawl
- Easing the rules around extensions to commercial buildings
and warehouses to make better use of brownfield.
- Cutting red tape to enable barn conversions and repurpose
agricultural buildings as opposed to building on the countryside
- Allowing popular outdoor markets to operate for more calendar
days per year.
National permitted development rights already make an important
contribution to housing delivery and in the seven years to March
2022, they have delivered over 94,000 new homes to rent or to
buy.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing &
Communities, Rt. Hon MP said:
“Britain needs more homes to fulfil more dreams of home
ownership and increase choice for renters. But they must be of
the right type and targeted in the right places.
“So we must build more in the places that make sense – in
our inner cities so that we protect our countryside. And we must
make better use of the buildings we already have - empty shops or
offices cannot be gathering dust while we have an urgent need for
more homes.
“That is why we are reviewing the rules around permitted
development rights to make sure we can regenerate, build and
grow.”
More detail on the permitted development rights, as well as other
major housing policy interventions, will be set on Monday
24th July.
