There has been much recent news coverage about the poor quality of some homes delivered through office to residential Permitted Development Rights. The charge is that by removing the controls imposed by the planning system, developers are able to deliver second rate housing.
While it is undoubtedly true that this Permitted Development Right has delivered some housing that is substandard, we must lose sight of the fact that this is a symptom of a wider problem – we aren’t delivering enough homes.
Ironically less, rather than more, planning might be the answer.
In this month’s column for Housing Today our managing director, Paul Smith, explains why.