New rules in England governing loft
conversions, home extensions and garden paving are a
positive step toward creating a more efficient, more user
friendly planning system.
The government today (Wednesday) laid regulatory changes
before parliament which will revise the General Permitted
Development Order. The changes will come into force on
October 1. They apply to England only and will give more
homeowners the right to make unintrusive alterations to
their homes without the need for gaining planning
permission first.
The RTPI welcomes the changes, which have the potential
to clear unnecessary clutter out of the planning system,
giving planning officers more time to deal with complex
applications which require deeper consideration. However,
the RTPI is urging the Government to ensure that the online
interactive site on the Planning Portal Website, which is
designed to explain to the public what changes can be made
to homes without the need for planning permission, is both
widely publicised and readily accessible.
RTPI Policy Director Rynd Smith said; “We are pleased
the government has listen to our calls for a more impact
based set of permitted development rights. We think it is
reasonable for homeowners to be able to make unintrusive
alternations to their properties without having to gain
planning permission first. Not only is it good for the
public but it is good for the planning system too as it
clears unnecessary applications from the system, giving
planning officers more time to deal with more demanding
applications.
”Extending permitted development rights will only work
provided the public has a clear understanding of their
rights and responsibilities. In order for that to happen
there needs to be a clear set of guidance, which is readily
available and well known. The government needs to ensure
that the new interactive site on the Planning Portal
Webiste ticks all of those boxes.”
For further information or to arrange an interview
please contact:
Dale Atkinson, RTPI Communications Manager, 0207 929
9479 dale.atkinson@rtpi.org.uk
Notes to Editors:
1. The RTPI is a dynamic organisation leading the way in
the creation of places that work now and in the future. We
understand that just as people develop places, so places
develop people. We are committed to the enhancement of our
natural and human environment, using spatial planning to
manage competing pressures on our built environments and
the very real effects on our space. Through our 20,000
members, we constantly seek to create areas and places in
which people want to live and work.
For further general information, visit the RTPI website
at: www.rtpi.org.uk
41 Botolph Lane, London, EC3R 8DL, charity no. 262865.
Charity registered in Scotland: SC 037841