"Permitted Development" Homes to Meet Space Standards

The government has issued the following press release, which states its intention that new homes delivered via permitted development rights will need to meet the nationally described space standard.

New homes delivered through Permitted Development Rights will have to meet space standard, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced today (30 September 2020).

Permitted development homes make an important contribution to delivering the housing the country needs by making effective use of existing buildings, allowing them to be changed into homes without the need to go through a full planning application.

The space standard begins at 37 metres square of floorspace for a new one bed flat with a shower room (39 metres square with a bathroom), ensuring proper living space for a single occupier.

This change builds on reforms introduced by the government last summer to ensure that all new homes delivered through permitted development provide adequate natural light.

Last month the government set out its plans to overhaul the outdated planning system, including new measures to place beauty and design quality at the heart of new development.

Under the new system, communities will be engaged at the beginning of the planning process to shape design codes that ensure new developments are in keeping with the architectural identity and standards of their area.

This includes the government consulting on homes delivered through Permitted Development Rights being covered by the new local design codes.

Although it is not clear from the press release, it appears that this change will need to be made by a Statutory Instrument (SI) that amends the GPDO 2015. As of 3 October 2020 such a SI has not yet appeared on the government website.