The Government have published further changes to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) to align the GPDO with the new use class order.
Following changes to the General Permitted Development Order that came into effect on 21st April 2021, the Government have published further changes to the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO) to align the GPDO with the new use class order.
The changes remove eight classes many of which have now be subsumed into Use Class E. The remaining more contentious uses such as hot food takeaways, betting offices, pay day loan shops and casinos become sui generis uses which do not benefit from the new flexibility offered within Class E.
Amendments have been made to GPDO Class G, allowing buildings in Use Class E to become mixed commercial and residential use (with up to 3 flats). An application will be required prior to implementing any change for determination as to whether prior approval is required for matters of contamination, flood risk, noise, natural light and storage of domestic waste.
The amendment retains the right to change use from Use Class B2 to Use Class B8 (subject to size limitations).
These changes will streamline the forms of permitted development allowed in the GPDO and clarifies rights available for sue Use Class E.
The government have also taken the opportunity to make further changes requiring submission of fire safety information for residential conversions where the development includes 2 or more dwellings and where the height is either over 18 metres or 7 storeys.
This requirement is part of the wider aim to improve fire safety for buildings following the Grenfell Tower disaster.
The changes comprise essential clarification ensuing that use classes and permitted development rights are aligned.
Mark Campbell Associate Director and Head of Planning at Evans Jones commented:
“The published update removes uncertainty caused by the former lack of alignment between the use classes order and the GPDO. Unfortunately this latest amendment does nothing to address the overall complexity remaining with the GPDO. The last consolidated version dates from 2015, however since original publication it has been subject to 24 amendment orders. The GDPO is thus well overdue complete overall and consolidation of all amendments since 2015 into a single concise document.”
Mark Campbell is Principal Planner at Evans Jones. If you would like any further information on the above article or other planning matters, contact Mark on 0800 0014090 or email mark.campbell@evansjones.co.uk