Permitted development rights changed on 6 April 2010 in respect of commercial buildings, schools, colleges, universities and hospitals. The changes remove the need for many basic alterations to premises to be subject of formal applications enabling companies to respond to their requirements in a more timely and cost effective manner. However, restrictions still apply and prior to commissioning works it is important to confirm that planned proposals are indeed ‘permitted development’.

Until now the right to extend commercial buildings has been quite restrictive, resulting in the need for planning permission and often leading to delay and additional costs for owners and occupiers as the necessary permissions are obtained.

The amended General Permitted Development Order has addressed this by extending the scope for increasing the floor space of industrial buildings including B1 uses (excluding offices) and warehouses subject to meeting certain criteria. The amendments permit first floor and above extensions, where taller buildings are involved on larger sites. Similar allowances are included for office buildings.

The provision of new hard surfaces, such as extending car parking areas, always a thorny issue with Councils, is now permitted on industrial, warehouse and office sites subject to some restrictions, such as ensuring the hard surfaces are porous and, in the case of office buildings, a maximum size limit.

The ability for A Class premises (shops, financial or professional and catering) to extend their floor space is also now included, subject to certain criteria, although new shop fronts and shutters remain subject to formal planning permission. Supermarkets and DIY stores should note that trolley stores are now permitted subject to meeting certain criteria. Again, the provision of hard surfaces is permitted along similar lines given to industrial, warehouse and office sites.

Educational and hospital sites are also freed up to enable extensions and new buildings without the need for formal planning permission although the maximum size permitted is limited to 100 m². Again, hard surface areas are permitted up to a maximum size.

At Brian Barber Associates we are fully conversant with these new Permitted Development Rights and can provide you with an independent assessment of your proposal and advice on whether specific proposals falls within ‘permitted development’. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of our team who will be pleased to discuss your requirements with you.