PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

2010-03-22 14:38:07

The government has made amendments to property owners permitted development rights, these rights allow owners to make amendments to their property without the need for planning consent.

The change which most affects residential property owners is that they are now allowed to convert a house in multiple occupancy into a more normal family residence without the need for planning consent.

As regards industrial and warehouse property ownership you are now allowed to increase the floor area of the premises by 10% of the original floor area either by extension or by the erection of a new structure, this is subject to certain restrictions as regard height and proximity to the boundary of the holding but is a major step forward in terms of these rights.

Office buildings, shops, catering establishments, financial and professional services establishments can now be extended by up to 25% of the original floor space without the need for planning consent, but again there are some height and boundary proximity conditions.

In order to fully understand the implications of these changes it is imperative that our advice is sought from the very outset of any proposed redevelopment.