This week we launched a new consultation proposing a package of amendments to permitted development rights (PDRs).
PDRs are a national grant of planning permission that allows specific building works or change of property use to happen without having to submit a full planning application to a local authority.
The proposals include extending the power to quickly erect temporary buildings if needed on school land without the need for a planning application. This means schools affected by RAAC will continue avoiding planning delays to carry out vital works to facilitate the restoration of classrooms and facilities faster.
The consultation also proposes removing buildings listed as assets of community value, such as youth centres and community halls, from the PDR that allows the demolition of certain buildings without consulting local people.
The Daily Mirror positively reports that hundreds of these cherished buildings will avoid being demolished under plans to give them the same exclusion rights as pubs – building on efforts by the government to strengthen community value schemes.
As part of this package the consultation proposes simplifying PDRs to house more military personnel on closed defence sites, alongside a new planning rule to support the delivery of conservation measures by National England through forthcoming Environmental Delivery Plans.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said:“Every young person deserves the best possible start in life. Our planning changes will mean schools can work quickly to provide RAAC-free classrooms with minimal delays.
“It’s also right that the public should have the power to protect cherished buildings at risk of demolition. That is why we want to extend the list which already protects pubs to other venues valued by the community.”
The new consultation on changes to PDRs will be open for 8 weeks.
seen at 14:49, 11 June in MHCLG in the Media.