In August last year we reported on a Government consultation document on another proposed change to the planning system.  At the time, the Coalition seemed determined to liberalise the planning system further to allow for the conversion of shops and agricultural buildings to dwellings as permitted development.  It would appear that this is now almost certain to take place following a Ministerial Statement issued today (6 March 2014).

Once the legislation is confirmed we will update this page, but the Ministerial Statement is suggesting that the new rights will be subject to a Prior Approval Process in order to allow Councils to assess flooding.  The new rights will allow up to 450 square metres to be converted for up to 3 homes.  The changes to permitted development rights for agricultural buildings will only apply in areas outside National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and (probably) Conservation Areas as well (all designated as Article 1(5) land).

The Ministerial Statement also deals with the cancellation of all previous Planning Guidance and its consolidation in an online resource – the National Planning Policy Guidance.  The publication of the NPPG has resulted in the cancellation of a large volume of guidance in Circulars and various other documents.

More detail will follow in due course, and please feel free to contact us on this matter.