The following email has been received from the Head of Planning Policy at Spelthorne Council. The Hon. Chairman, LOSRA was present at the meeting to which he refers and now urges residents to participate in the consultation which closes on 24th December:
At the respective quarterly meetings with residents associations and planning agents held last month we said that the government was expected to start consulting shortly on proposed changes to permitted development levels for home owners and businesses. We said we would let you know as soon as we heard anything.
Yesterday a consultation document was published giving 6 weeks to comment with a closing date of 24 December. The link to the relevant page on the DCLG web site is: communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/extendingpdrconsultation
The planning system has always allowed small extension and alterations to be made without the need for planning permission – hence the term ‘permitted development’. The key proposed change is the raising of the limit when planning permission is required for a single story rear extensions from 4 metres in length for a detached house (or otherwise 3 metres) to 8 metres for a detached house (or otherwise 6 metres). The consultation also asks for views about other changes in permitted development rules.
At the recent quarterly meetings there appeared to be unanimous concern from those present about the extent of the additional freedoms being suggested by the government. You may wish to take the opportunity to make your own response to the government.
If we can assist in clarifying anything in the consultation we will as always be pleased to do our best to assist. If you do make a response we would be interested to receive a copy so we can follow the particular points that are made.
Finally we can always advise residents when planning permission is needed and recommend this is always done. There is further information on the planning pages on our web site: spelthorne.gov.uk/article/587/Planning
