A group of MPs has called on the government to halt the planned introduction of a raft of new residential permitted development rights next week and conduct a full review of the role of the controversial rights.

The report by MPs on the housing communities and local government select committee concluded introduction of the new right – allowing virtually all high street premises to convert to housing without requiring planning permission – should be paused while the government reviews “how it aligns with plan-led development and local democratic involvement”.

The findings come after the government has doubled down on the use of permitted development since the start of the pandemic, despite growing controversy over their use and a government-commissioned report finding that they produced worse-quality housing.

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