{"id":28924,"date":"2021-01-19T16:10:57","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T16:10:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28924"},"modified":"2021-01-18T19:08:43","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T19:08:43","slug":"ihbc-with-foe-etc-sign-joint-statement-on-concerns-over-englands-permitted-development-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28924","title":{"rendered":"IHBC with FoE etc. sign \u2018Joint Statement\u2019 on concerns over England\u2019s Permitted Development Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>A cross-sector partnership of lead national and international bodies \u2013 including the IHBC and the Friends of the Earth (FoE) \u2013 has signed a Joint Statement to \u2018express our deep concern about the latest proposals for the expansion of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in England\u2019.<\/h3>\n

<\/p>\n

\u2026coming together of the natural and historic environment sectors\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

IHBC Chair David McDonald said: ‘The IHBC has already expressed its concerns about a number of recent changes to permitted development rights. These concerns are shared by many other organisations and I have had no hesitation in signing this joint statement which represents a very positive coming together of the natural and historic environment sectors.’<\/p>\n

\u2026[these proposals will] extinguish local democracy\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

The Joint Statement partners write:<\/p>\n

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern about the latest proposals for the expansion of Permitted Development Rights in England.<\/p>\n

These proposals [See 1 below] will lower housing standards and accessible natural green infrastructure provision, extinguish local democracy, and end public participation. Communities and their local councils have simply lost control of many of the forms of development that matter most to them.<\/p>\n

Permissions for over one million new homes are already in place but not built out according to the Local Government Association. There is little case to be made that the current system does not deliver consent for development.<\/p>\n

Existing permitted development rights have resulted in what the Government\u2019s own report has called poor quality homes. Much less funding is going to local authorities as a result of these changes. Councillors and MPs across the spectrum have voiced their deep concern at the size, quality, amenity, design, location and climate change implications of these developments.<\/p>\n

This consultation proposes to consolidate the relaxation of the use class order and extends and makes permanent existing permitted development rights. Town planning as we have known it will not apply to the vast majority of development in urban areas.<\/p>\n

\u2026 intention to apply these private rights to conservation areas\u2026. exclude design and climate mitigation and adaptation\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

The intention to apply these private rights to conservation areas, and to exclude design and climate mitigation and adaptation from the list of very limited matters which councils can think about before giving approval is extremely damaging. Losing control of town centres to private interests will do nothing to secure their comprehensive regeneration in the public interest post the pandemic. Local people are being locked out of any say on the shape and feel of their communities and civic places.<\/p>\n

We believe that local people and local businesses are best placed to lead the process of change that will result from a reduced need for existing retail space. Local communities will often want to see a range of other uses apart from retail and housing. There is an increasing interest, for example, in turning over town centre space for more health and wellbeing related purposes. Where new housing is appropriate, planning safeguards are needed to make sure that the homes provided best match local needs for more genuinely affordable and quality homes with accessible natural green space. The Government\u2019s proposals will offer no such safeguards.<\/p>\n

\u2026 planning system needs to ensure\u2026.accountable decisions\u2026. Environmental protection\u2026.and provision of accessible natural green space and conservation\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

We believe that the planning system needs to ensure:<\/p>\n