Pickles announces relaxation of Permitted Development rights

The "common sense" planning reforms will allow two flats to be created above a shop, office or storage space without planning permission. This will enable more flats to be built above shops without the need for planning permission, said Pickles. Under the current regulations for Permitted Development rights only one flat is permitted above a shop without need for  planning permission.

"These are common sense planning reforms that will deliver more affordable homes in areas where there are good transport links whilst ensuring better use of existing developed land," said Pickles."Cutting this red tape should be a shot in the arm for the high street increasing footfall and providing a boost to regeneration."

The Government has already taken steps to streamline the planning system through the National Planning Policy Framework and the Localism Act, it said, and the relaxation of Permitted Development rights is an extension of the process. It will help to ease the process for creating new homes in existing underused space.

"The Government is determined to make the very best use of existing buildings to provide more homes as quickly and simply as possible. This change offers real potential to provide more affordable housing and give a much needed boost to our high streets," said Planning Minister Greg Clark.

"Ensuring unused space above shops can be used in a better way is one of the many changes the Government has introduced to streamline the planning system and to cut unnecessary bureaucracy."

The reform follows a number of recent Government measures aimed at improving the planning system. These include consultation papers published in July setting out proposals to make it easier to re-use some buildings and streamline information required for planning applications.

Regeneration of the nation's high streets has also been in focus this year, with the launch of Government schemes such as Portas Pilots and Town Team Partners providing funding to towns to help rejuvenate their high streets.

The new Permitted Development rights will come into force on 1 October 2012.