NALC joins call to rein in permitted development rights amid growing concerns
We have co-signed an open letter led by the Local Government Association, urging the government to reconsider its approach to permitted development rights (PDRs).
The letter, supported by a coalition of local government stakeholders, highlights growing concerns over the impact of PDRs on communities, infrastructure, and housing standards nationwide.
As a long-standing critic of blanket extensions to PDRs, we reiterated our view that decisions on development rights should be made locally, through local plans or by neighbourhood planning groups, rather than being imposed nationally. We argued that the widespread use of PDRs undermines democratic planning processes and weakens communities' ability to shape the future of their areas.
Since 2013, PDRs have enabled the creation of thousands of homes without requiring them to go through the standard planning system. While this has increased housing numbers, it has also allowed developers to bypass essential requirements, such as providing affordable housing, making infrastructure contributions, and meeting minimum quality standards. As a result, nearly 28,000 affordable homes have been lost over the past decade. Many homes delivered through PDRs have been reported to be of poor quality, located in unsuitable areas, and lacking basic amenities or safety features. Parish and town councils and communities lose out twice, first on housing standards, and then on the schools, green spaces, transport, and health services that should accompany new development.
The open letter also calls for a return to local accountability and greater community control over development, aligning with our ongoing campaign to strengthen local democracy in planning.
