The whole of the London Assembly today called on the Mayor to oppose government plans to significantly extend permitted development rights and reject changes to planning rules that would impact on levels of affordable housing.
As part of a recent range of measures aimed at boosting house building, jobs and the economy, the Government has proposed a three-year relaxation of permitted development rules and the renegotiation of existing planning obligation.
A motion agreed unanimously by Assembly Members warned that allowing home owners to build extensions without planning permission could cause lasting damage to the built environment and cause neighbourhood disputes. The Assembly said local authorities are best placed to manage the development of land and buildings.
Members also urged Boris Johnson, in his capacity as the strategic planning authority for London, to ensure the London Plan gives enough support to Local Authorities to enforce existing planning controls to protect back gardens and prevent unsuitable developments.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“This motion sends a clear message that we believe local authorities are best placed to manage the development of land and buildings in their area. Councils will only be able to improve the character and integrity of their local area by retaining the right to refuse permission for development – including extensions – where it is considered inappropriate.
“London is not short of conservatory extensions; it is short of affordable homes. The proposed policy simply wouldn’t create a big enough boost to the construction industry to justify potential and lasting damage to our built environment.
“While the intention to make planning cheaper, quicker and easier is laudable, the fundamental problem is not with the planning system, but rather with stalled housing developments. It is estimated that there are enough approvals in the system for 400,000 new homes, however these new proposals would remove the requirement for developers to include affordable housing if they prove they make a site ‘commercially unviable’.”
The full text of the amended motion reads:
The London Assembly notes:
- The coalition government’s recent announcement of a range of measures intended to boost British housebuilding, jobs and the economy;
- That this announcement includes proposals for a three-year relaxation of permitted development rules and the renegotiation of existing planning obligations.
The London Assembly believes:
- That Local Authorities are best placed to manage the development of land and buildings;
- That allowing home owners to build extensions of up to eight metres without the need for planning permission could cause lasting damage to the built environment and result in neighbourhood disputes;
- That mixed communities should be actively promoted across London.
The London Assembly therefore calls on the Mayor, as the strategic planning authority for London, to reaffirm his commitment to mixed and balanced communities, and to reject any attempt to renegotiate existing planning obligations where this would lead to a reduction in the level of affordable housing being provided.
The London Assembly also calls on the Mayor to oppose any attempt to significantly extend permitted development rights, and to ensure that the London Plan provides adequate support to Local Authorities in enforcing existing planning controls to protect back gardens and preventing unsuitable development.