New residences are being constructed, yet they're beyond the reach of many potential homeowners...
The Local Government Association (LGA) has raised concerns about the impact of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) on the delivery of affordable housing in England. The LGA, a body representing councils in England and Wales, claims that PDR undermines local planning authority control and reduces the delivery of genuinely affordable housing.
Since 2015, over 95,000 new houses have been provided, according to new research from the LGA. However, the increase in new homes is primarily attributed to conversions from offices under PDR, where full planning permission is not required. This process often bypasses local design standards, community input, and affordable housing requirements, impacting the supply and quality of affordable homes.
The LGA's research indicates that the amount of housing for affordable or social rent in England has fallen from around 20% in 2000 to 16% in 2023. Furthermore, the association claims that over 23,000 affordable homes have been lost due to bypassing planning permission. These conversions can result in poor quality housing, and councils face losing out on Section 106 contributions for infrastructure to support new developments and affordable housing.
Councillor Adam Hug, a spokesperson for the LGA, commented that the government's target to deliver 1.5 million more homes over the parliament is being met, but at the expense of affordable housing. He stated that the LGA wants to work with the government and the development and housebuilding industry to address this issue.
Cllr Hug reiterated that the government's target is being met, but at the expense of affordable housing. He emphasized that councils need the right powers, skills, resources, and funding to deliver more housing of a decent standard. The LGA is calling on the government to revoke unfettered PDR to restore local planning oversight and ensure that housing development includes affordable homes and respects community priorities.
While PDR has been promoted as a way to speed up housing delivery and ease planning burdens, its low uptake and the quality of resulting housing have raised questions about its effectiveness for affordable housing goals. Therefore, the call to revoke or reform PDR aligns with efforts to promote a sustainable, community-led planning system that balances development with local needs, including affordable housing provision.
- The Local Government Association (LGA) has expressed concerns about the role of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in the housing industry, claiming that its implementation undermines local government's control over planning authority and affordable housing delivery.
- Since 2015, over 95,000 new houses have been provided, yet the LGA's research indicates a decrease in the percentage of housing for affordable or social rent in England, with only 16% affordable homes in 2023, down from 20% in 2000.
- According to the LGA, the increase in new homes is primarily due to conversions from offices under PDR, which bypass local design standards, community input, and affordable housing requirements, impacting the housing-market and real-estate quality.
- Councillor Adam Hug, a spokesperson for the LGA, stated that the government's housing policy-and-legislation aims to deliver 1.5 million more homes over the parliament, but at the expense of affordable housing, and urged for collaboration with the government, development, and housebuilding industry to address this issue.
- As part of the solution, Cllr Hug emphasized the need for local government to have the right powers, skills, resources, and funding to deliver more housing of a decent standard, while also calling on the government to revoke unfettered PDR to restore local planning oversight and ensure that new housing developments include affordable homes and respect community priorities.
- While PDR has been promoted as a means to speed up housing development and reduce planning burdens, its low uptake and the quality of resulting housing have brought its effectiveness for affordable housing goals into question. This calls for revisions to PDR or even its revocation to promote a sustainable, community-led planning system balancing development with local needs, including affordable housing provision, and maintaining general-news standards.
