Planning law changes could revitalise town centres

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that new laws, which come into force in September, could deliver much-needed new homes and revitalise town centres across England.

The new laws, laid in Parliament on 21 July, will mean that full planning applications will not be required to demolish and rebuild unused buildings as homes and commercial and retail properties can be quickly repurposed to help revive our high streets and town centres.

This should help high streets and town centres to provide more space for new businesses and help them to adapt quickly to what consumers and businesses need.

Jenrick also announced that homeowners will also be able to add up to two additional storeys to their home to create new homes or more living space for growing families through a fast track approval process, with a requirement to carefully consider the impact on neighbours and the appearance of the extension. It is believed that this will reduce pressure to build on greenfield sites and deliver more homes that fit the character of their local area, without the red tape.

Pubs, libraries, village shops and other buildings essential to communities will not be covered by these flexibilities, recognising these form part of the fabric of areas.

The Housing Secretary said: “We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with new enterprises and more housing. These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities. It will mean that families can add up to two storeys to their home, providing much needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows.”