New Legislation: Prior Approval and Permitted Development
The latest changes to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), which sets out national permitted development rights, came into force on Wednesday 6th April 2016.
The permitted development rights for a change of use from offices (B1(a)) to residential (C3) have been amended. Previously, the deadline for completing the change of use was 30th May 2016. This deadline has now been removed and replaced with a condition that requires the development must be completed within 3 years of determination of the prior approval.
In addition, developers must now consider “impacts of noise from commercial premises on the intended occupiers of the development” when applying to the local planning authority. However, the amendments to the GPDO do not allow the demolition of offices and new building for residential use as was suggested in a Government press release about the changes from October 2015 (link).
New permitted development rights have been introduced to allow a change of use from light industrial (B1(c)) to residential (C3) during the 6 year period from October 2017 to September 2023. The developer must successfully complete the prior approval process by the end of September 2020, and the development must be completed within 3 years of determination of the prior approval.
The GPDO now also includes permitted development rights allowing a change of use from a launderette to residential (C3), in addition to the existing rights for betting offices and pay day loan shops.
For further information on householder permitted development and the prior approval process please contact one of our consultants for a no obligation conversation on 0808 164 1288.
