The RIBA has today responded to the government’s extension of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) that will come into effect by September.
RIBA President, Alan Jones, said:
“The extension of this policy is truly disgraceful. There is no evidence that the planning system is to blame for the shortage of housing, and plenty to suggest that leaving local communities powerless in the face of developers seeking short-term returns will lead to poor results.
Even the government’s own advisors concluded that permitted development had “permissioned future slums” – allowing sub-standard homes to be built with little to no natural light and smaller than budget hotel rooms.
The extension of PDR is not just damaging – it’s a missed opportunity. There are fantastic examples of high quality, low cost, sustainable developments across the UK, like the 2019 Stirling Prize winning Goldsmith Street – but to ensure these become the norm we need changes to the tax and funding systems to incentivise investment in sustainable buildings alongside minimum space and environmental standards. We will be writing to the Secretary of State as a matter of urgency.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Press contact: Abigail.Chiswell-White@riba.org or +44 (0) 20 7307 3811.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
