The Government have now released the formal ‘Technical Guide' to implementing your Permitted Development Rights.

August 2010.

Download it now by clicking here (original version).

Download latest 2019 version

I never thought they would given the recent change in government but pressure was mounting on the DCLG for the formal release of this document to help us all understand the many ambiguities that have arisen over the last 22 months.

We have had it in draft since Easter 2010 as an ‘unofficial leaked version’ and all feed back indicated that it brought some much needed clarity to the situation of Permitted development since the changes in 2008.

Well now we have it & at first read all seems pretty much in tact as per the draft version but for one major change.

The combined side / rear 'wrap around' extension is dead - it is no more!

The draft version clearly stated that this was allowable. The new official version goes to great lengths with examples & explanations as to why it is not allowable.

Of all the PD questions I have received, the wrap around extension was the most requested explanation or discussion topic of all. Therefore, I know it will now cause considerable upset & amazement from many home owners at this ‘U turn’ in thinking.

The questions are:-

1 - What happens to all the current Lawful Development Certificates issued that have agreed to the wrap around extension that have not yet been implemented?

2 - Are the DCLG correct in their current guidance on the interrelationship between side and rear extensions?

3 - What happens to the current appeal decisions that offer a contrary opinion and have been allowed.

My own question to the DCLG is why the change in mind from the draft version? Were they ‘got at’ by certain powerful & influential Local Planning Authorities who were trying to prevent & restrict your building rights? Remember, only around 8 consultees were offered an opportunity to comment on the draft version most of which were LPA’s so I think the evidence speaks for itself (I.M.H.O.)

All that said, it is a very useful document that you can now officially present to each Local Planning Authority to support your Certificate of Lawful development application knowing that it now carries much more weight than the draft version did.

Let me know how you get on.

Good luck.

The promised commercial Permitted Development Rights has arrived.

We are just getting to grips with its implications - we didn't want to but we have already received numerous calls on the subject & how its is beginning to affect commercial business owners.

You can read our initial thoughts & opinions on the new regime & download the actual document as a pdf. This could be a big growth area for some business owners who have been previously refused Planning Permission to extend or alter their existing premises especially in rural areas.

Refer to the lastest planning jargon

Click here to be taken to our new Commercial PD section.