In September 2020, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that all new homes delivered through Permitted Development Rights (PDR) will have to meet the minimum space standards, as set out currently in the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS). The Government has recently advised Parliament that this change is expected to come into effect on the 6th April 2021.

The minimum space standards will ensure that new homes delivered through PDR start at 37 sqm. for a new one-bedroom flat with a shower room (or 39 sqm. with a bathroom). The NDSS are set out below:

(SOURCE: TECHNICAL HOUSING STANDARDS – NATIONALLY DESCRIBED SPACE STANDARD – MARCH 2015)

It is anticipated that there will be a transition period with the new rules. Most notably, it is likely that there will be no requirement to meet the minimum space standards where prior approval is granted, confirmed as not required or granted by default prior to the 6th April 2021, or where a permitted development scheme has been submitted to the Local Planning Authority for prior approval before the 6th April 2021.

This further change by the Government is a response to opinion that many new homes being delivered through PDR – including offices to residential (Class O) and agricultural buildings to residential (Class Q) – were of poor quality, with cramped accommodation. It follows previous Government regulations that came into effect in August 2020, which requires new homes created by PDR to provide adequate natural lighting in habitable rooms.

If you would like to know more about these issues or you want to discuss how these changes might affect a specific project, please contact us on: 01794 368 698 or [email protected]