Housing: Permitted Development Rights

Lord Taylor of Goss Moor Excerpts

Wednesday 18th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

I thank the right reverend Prelate for that question. PDR tends to apply where there are brownfield sites to be developed because they are conversions, usually, from existing buildings. There has been a change to introduce that principle for agricultural buildings as well. I will try to get back to him with a specific answer on whether the department knows how much take-up there has been of that provision. We have made provision in the new national planning policy framework for ensuring that planning policies and decisions are responsive to local circumstances in rural areas and support housing developments that reflect local needs. That is a more general requirement. I will get back to him on whether the agricultural permitted development has had any traction.

[Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (LD)]

My Lords, I refer the Minister to the issue of rural businesses—shops, in many villages, that are a vital part of the vibrancy of those communities and services—which are being converted through PDR without permission and against the will of local communities. Shops are not protected beyond one within a kilometre.

[Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)]

It is very important that we focus on the facilities in local areas, but this is a commercial market and where shops are not able to achieve the market they need, permitted development regulations will occur. In reviewing the PDRs, that is one of the issues we need to focus on—whether any further protections are necessary, particularly for assets such as rural assets.