Agenda item

Report attached.

The Assistant Director Planning delivered a presentation to the sub-committee that outlined the key proposals and changes to the planning system that have come forward in 2020.

The presentation outlined the following changes to planning legislation since 2020:

In March an amendment allowed a change of use from restaurants and cafes and drinking establishments (A3 and A4 uses) to a temporary use for the provision of takeaway food.  Permitted development rights relating to takeaways.

Members noted that the amendment was in response to the Covid19 pandemic and the restrictions placed on these businesses during lockdown and would apply until to 23 March 2022.

In April an amendment introduced permitted development rights relating to emergency development allowing local authorities and certain health bodies to carry out development of facilities required in undertaking their roles in response to the spread of coronavirus. 

The Sub-Committee was informed that in August 2020, the government made a number of amendments to permitted development rights to allow development that assisted in supporting the Government’s economic renewal package following the Covid19 outbreak. The amendments included:

·       Enabling a local authority to hold a market for an unlimited number of days until 23rd March 2021. 

·       Temporary permission for local authorities to use any land for holding a market until March 2022

·       Permanent permitted development right to allow additional storeys to be constructed on existing purpose-built blocks of flats to create new homes, subject to prior approval.  

·       Requiring new homes delivered through permitted development rights to provide adequate natural light for the occupants. 

The changes also included a Business and Planning Act that was aimed to restart the economy in response to the pandemic and introducing a range of new measures to help businesses to quickly adjust and adapt to changing circumstances.  

It was also stated that since August 2020, Permitted Development rights relating to upward extensions was introduced which allowed detached, semi-detached or in a terrace to be extended upwards to provide additional living space by constructing additional storeys, subject to prior approval.

Members noted that there was also changes to the Permitted Development relating to demolitions since August 2020. This amendment allows for demolition of single detached buildings and the construction of new dwelling houses in their place, subject to prior approval.

In September, amendments were made that allowed changes to the use of classes, introducing three new use classes with the aim of supporting economic renewal and help businesses adapt to changing circumstances.

In November further amendments were made that removed permitted development rights relating to demolition. This explained that the demolition of any building used as a concert hall, venue for live music performance or theatre was no longer classed as permitted development.  This permanent change is to protect these venues, preventing their unnecessary loss as a result of having to close due to the Covid19 pandemic.

The Sub-Committee was informed that from 6 April 2021 an amendment that allows dwellings delivered by permitted development rights meeting the nationally described space standard would be introduced. The standard sets out requirements for the Gross Internal (floor) Area of new dwellings at a defined level of occupancy as well as floor areas and dimensions for key parts of the home, notably bedrooms, storage and floor to ceiling heights.

Members noted the update.