PD homes soar ahead of ban

The number of homes proposed via permitted development rights has soared to record levels, with some 6,859 homes proposed in the month ahead of a ban on large schemes. According to EG Radius data, there were 136 schemes proposed, by 120 different developers in July. This is over three times the monthly average for the rest of the year, of 43 schemes, and almost four times the number of homes, which sat at 1,845. Developers have raced to lodge prior approval requests ahead of a ban limiting the maximum floorspace of a building that can be converted. This month, the government expanded controversial permitted development rights, allowing conversions of vacant commercial premises to residential premises, despite its own commissioned research concluding that PDR conversions create worse environments, with concerns over “health, wellbeing and quality of life”. Critics frequently slam the mechanism as creating “slums of the future”. Following a backlash from the industry, planners, local authorities and MPs, it added the caveat that all permitted development be limited to buildings under 16,145 sq ft. This week, EG revealed that Diageo was pursuing plans to turn its global headquarters in Park Royal, NW10, into 200 rental flats, using this mechanism. The largest application in July came from Balcraft Properties, seeking to deliver 334 flats at the 15-storey Alexander House in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. Comer Homes also proposed 235 flats at the Highfield Building in  Haselmere in Surrey and Lowe Works sought approval for 228 flats at the former council building Riverside House in Greenwich (pictured). To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Photo credit: The Lowe Group