Permitted Development Articles & Notes

Resources:

Personal Reflection

Both articles discussed the tension between the government (Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick) and local councils. On one side is the government attempting to revive old town centres and high streets by allowing flexibility for land and property owners and "cutting bureaucracy". Jenrick also claims that permitted development will allow people to house the elderly and create much needed "high-quality housing".

On the other hand, local councils have voiced concerns about not having authority over the management of place, and that local people may no longer have a say in what their community looks like. Furthermore, reports have highlighted that the housing generated through permitted development is lacking in quality and does not meet housing standards that are fundamental to the quality of life for its residents. For example, there were a number of dwellings found to have insufficient natural light and ventilation, while others were no larger than sixteen metres squared.

Upon further discussion in the session, other issues brought on by permitted development were raised. Developers favouring the lower fees of prior approval means that less money is going towards the local authority, and they also have less of a say in the development, and therefore cannot push for affordable housing to be made.

This leads me to think about who the government had in mind when they stated that permitted development is intended to increase housing supply. It appears that the housing being built is for a particular buyer, and not for those who are in most need of it. Although there are good intentions (mostly grounded in improving the economy), there are definitely some negative implications of permitted development.