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Can I extend my home under householder permitted development rights? Definitely maybe! You might have heard of permitted development rights which enable householders to make certain alterations to their homes without requiring planning permission.  These rights are set out in legislation commonly known as the GPDO. Specifically, GPDO Schedule 2 Part 1 sets out the […]

In the midst of a heatwave and at 5pm 20 July 2021 a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published along with the National Model Design Code (NMDC) and the launch of an Office for Place. Government confirmed  that changes to NPPF July 2021 are intended to: “make beauty and place-making a strategic theme

As of 1st August 2021, new Class MA permitted development comes into operation. Here we explain what you need to know. Back to Basics First of all, let us give a quick overview of the basics when it comes to permitted development. The legislation, the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO), takes some small scale development outside of

I’ve written about the recent changes to planning use classes before and now feels like the perfect time for a reminder as we move into Spring 2021 and the staggered re-opening of premises. What changes were made? Government made wholesale changes in 2020. A key change was the creation of three new broader planning use classes. These are:

You might be aware that Government has been promising a wholesale reform of the planning system. On the 30th January (a Saturday) the Government gave us a sneak preview by launching its consultation on some immediate changes planned for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A draft National Model Design Code (NMDC) and accompanying guidance note are

Having invested your time, energy and money into the process, the planning refusal of a development you have set your heart on can feel like a personal rejection. You might feel that the reasons given for refusal are unreasonable and without merit or, alternatively, just decide to give up on your dream project altogether. A refused

With the exception of “do I need planning permission?”, I’m consistently asked the same two questions when I tell people what I do for a living. The top question is what exactly is a town planner, usually asked with a slightly embarrassed look of befuddlement. In at second place, and the subject of this blog,

In a week of extensive regulatory changes to the planning system, the one that could arguably result in the most radical change to our high streets, has probably been the least headline grabbing. The Government has made sweeping changes to the Use Classes Order including the creation of a broad new use class – ‘Class

You might have seen in the news that changes have been proposed to legislation to speed up pavement licencing with the aim of enabling businesses to secure licences by this Summer. The Business and Planning Bill is due to be considered in the House of Lords on 6 July with the potential to gain Royal

The various planning rules and regulations can be something of a minefield to understand and implement. For this blog, I’m focusing on a common area for businesses to come into contact with the planning process – change of use. As a town planner I can probably guess that town planning considerations do not feature heavily