A reminder that there is a wide ranging planning consultation out at the moment. This includes amongst other things proposals to:
- Impose statutory time limits on decision making by Local Planning Authorities when designating a neighbourhood planning area.
- Expand permitted development rights for change of use to residential including casinos, nightclubs and amusement arcades
- Putting permitted development rights for office to residential changes and household extensions on a permanent footing.
- Putting in place a new use class for betting shops and pay day loan companies. As you will know this is an area on which the LGA has undertaken significant lobbying including pressing for greater powers for local authorities to tackle the proliferation of betting shops where they are a concern locally.
- Proposals on the process for the deemed discharge of planning conditions. The legislation to enable this power is currently progressing through Parliament through the Infrastructure Bill. The LGA (and the Lib Dem Group) are opposing the proposals and lobbying against the clause.
Consultation closes on 26th September and a link is at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/technical-consultation-on-planning
Comments
Cllr David Budd says
I do not support permitted development rights to change offices to residential, they should go through the normal planning process. Office buildings do not necessarily lend themselves to suitable conversation or they may not be in suitable and sustainable locations e.g. out of town business parks.
We risk allowing the creation of future slums, the planning system was created to prevent bad development and whilst not perfect it has done a good job. We will live to regret throwing away rules which are there to protect our communities and the environment.