PD surges to record highs ahead of micro-home ban

The number of large schemes proposed via controversial permitted development rights soared to record levels in the month before a ban on micro-flats was introduced. Developers proposed 55 large schemes with 2,421 homes in March, according to Radius Data Exchange. This is more than three times the number of homes proposed via PDR during the same period last year and the highest monthly total on record. The surge in applications came ahead of a new mandate that homes under PDR meet national size standards of at least 37 sq m from 6 April. A dive into the largest applications in March reveals the majority of the have proposed homes under the size standards. The largest application came from Beech Holdings in Newcastle, which plans to turn the 1970s office Cale Cross into 250 rental homes. The prior approval notice at the start of March proposes almost half of the flats at 18.9 sq m. On 23 March, Chase Green Developments lodged new plans to turn Blackhorse Tower, Holbrook House and Churchwood House in Enfield, north London, into 219 flats. The application follows various previous iterations, with plans previously refused, and is an uplift on plans approved last year. The smallest home is 37 sq m. Further significant schemes in Cheshire, Reading and Hart all dip below the size standard. Housing secretary Robert Jenrick announced the micro-flat restriction last September, following a backlash against expanded PDR as critics slammed the mechanism for creating a swathe of homes branded “slums of the future”. In the six months since the ban was announced there have been 199 schemes from 180 applicants with 7,406 homes. This dataset only includes large schemes of more than 10 homes and found an average scheme size of 37 homes. Sheen Lane Developments has been the most active PD developer with five schemes and 299, this was followed by Stonegate Homes planning four schemes and 145 homes. Applications tended to be focused around the south of England and major northern cities. Some 59% of homes were in the South East and London. The most popular locations by number of homes were Newcastle, followed by outer London and commuter spots, including Runnymede, Hillingdon, Milton Keynes and Enfield. On April 21, new expanded PDR allowing conversions of almost any commercial building into residential will come into force, despite lobbying from planners and trade groups. However, a last-minute addition of a size limit of 1,500 sq m (16,145 sq ft) on floorspace converted is expected to significantly affect its application. Critics have raised concerns that this could see the loss of essential services and smaller premises on the high street. To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@egi.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @estatesgazette Picture © Beech Holdings