New residential constructions are on the rise, yet they remain beyond the financial reach of many...
Article: The Impact of Permitted Development Rights on Affordable Housing in the UK
In the UK, the use of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) has become a popular approach to speed up and reduce the cost of housing development, including affordable housing. However, this shortcut also raises concerns about local planning control, the quality and quantity of affordable housing, and the location of these homes.
Faster and Cheaper Housing Delivery
PDR enables quicker conversion of existing buildings, such as offices, commercial spaces, or underused residential properties, into homes without the lengthy, costly traditional planning permission process. This can help address housing shortages, including affordable housing demand in urban areas.
Reduced Planning Authority Control
Because developments under PDR do not require full planning permission, local authorities have limited ability to negotiate affordable housing contributions or to impose conditions that ensure affordable housing provision. This can reduce the supply of designated affordable housing in converted or extended properties.
Quality and Suitability Concerns
Although PDR developments must undergo prior approval for issues like natural light, noise, flood risk, and transport access, local councils have less influence over housing design and standards compared to full planning permissions. This sometimes leads to smaller, lower-quality units that may not fully meet affordable housing needs.
Local Limits and Restrictions
PDR rights can be restricted or removed in sensitive areas, such as conservation areas, listed buildings, or areas subject to Article 4 Directions. This allows councils more planning control to protect local character or manage affordable housing delivery through the traditional planning system.
Impact on Strategic Housing Planning
Since PDR projects bypass the local plan’s affordable housing policies, there is a risk that cumulative PDR schemes undermine regional and local affordable housing targets, complicating long-term housing strategy and infrastructure planning.
The Consequences for Affordable Housing
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published research showing that over 23,000 affordable homes have been lost due to bypassing planning permission. Without the need for full planning permission, local authorities cannot enforce affordable housing or infrastructure contributions from developers. This has led to a decrease in the amount of housing for affordable or social rent in England, which has fallen from around 20% in 2000 to 16% in 2023.
In light of these concerns, the LGA is calling on the government to revoke unfettered permitted development rights to ensure new homes are of a decent standard. The LGA argues that PDR undermines the role of local plans and rob communities of the chance to have their say on new projects. 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.
Councils face losing out on more Section 106 contributions for infrastructure to support new developments and affordable housing, at a time when these are most needed, according to Councillor Adam Hug. This could further exacerbate the issue of affordable housing provision in the UK.
In conclusion, while PDR supports faster, lower-cost housing development, it limits local planning powers to ensure affordable housing provision and quality, potentially undermining coordinated local affordable housing strategies. Local authorities often rely on planning permission routes to secure affordable units, so widespread use of PDR can reduce affordable housing supply and influence the nature of local housing stock in the UK.
- The lack of affordable housing contributions from developers following the use of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) can severely impact personal finance for individuals and families seeking affordable housing solutions within theUK.
- In order to ensure the finance required for infrastructure and affordable housing is secured, councils face the challenge of losing out on Section 106 contributions for new developments under PDR, which has the potential to further exacerbate the issue of affordable housing provision in the UK.
- To address the decreasing supply of affordable housing, it is crucial for the local government to assert control in relevant industries such as housing and finance, and work towards policies that balance fast-track development with the need for affordable housing, through both PDR and traditional planning permission processes.
