Built environment organisations issue joint letter on PDR

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has joined other organisations representing professionals in the built environment in issuing a letter to the Secretary of State for Housing and Planning regarding permitted development rights (PDR).

Permitted development rights are automatic permissions for the conversion of office spaces to housing, without requirements relating to quality, size, sustainability and design. Full planning applications will no longer be needed to replace “unused” buildings, including commercial and retail properties, into homes and other uses.

The organisations – including the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – have expressed their concern over maintaining quality in the government’s post-coronavirus drive to increase building. The letter can be found here.