The government is to consult on a sweeping expansion of permitted development rights that would allow empty buildings to be demolished and replaced by housing without the need for a planning application, housing secretary Robert Jenrick said today.

The new PDR would apply to vacant commercial buildings, industrial buildings and residential blocks. The only stipulation mentioned so far is that the new housing must be “well-designed new residential units which meet natural light standards”. Upwards extentions would also be exempt from planning.

Jenrick, who gave a statement to Parliament followed by a policy statement called Planning for the Future, said this would prevent much-needed housing schemes from being “delayed in a lengthy planning process”.

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