The housing market continues to reform.
Recently the:
government relaxed Stamp Duty relating to properties up to £500,000, saving those spending up to that limit up to £15,000 until 31 March 2021
government extended Permitted Development rights to allow two-storey upwards extensions to blocks of flats from 1 August
Law Commission announced radical plans to reform the way leasehold arrangements works
And now the government is going to revise Permitted Development rights further:
1. to enable homeowners to add up to two additional storeys through a fast-track approval process, effective in September. Homeowners will be required to consider the appearance of the extension and how this will impact their neighbours.
2. developers will not require full planning applications to demolish and rebuild unused buildings. This is intended to regenerate high streets and town centres.
Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, says:
“We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with new enterprises and more housing. “These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities. It will mean that families can add up to two storeys to their home, providing much needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows.”
While the government is extending Permitted Development, it also has to consider an independent government report which was published on Tuesday.
This report was prepared based on interviews with 11 local planning authorities across England. This revealed that homes created through Permitted Development are of a lower standard of quality than homes which go through the planning system. This is evidenced by the fact that only 22.1% of dwelling units created through Permitted Development meet the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS), compared to 73.4% of units created through the full planning permission. To highlight this very point, the report makes reference to studio flats being built measuring just 16 metres squared each!
Are you thinking of extending?
If so, this can be a daunting task, particularly when you add this on top of everything else you have going on in your life. We can help. With 20+ years developing experience we can take the load off you and manage your build. Reach out to us now on info@sortstyleandstage.com to arrange your free no-obligation discussion with one of our team.