PLANNING COMMITTEE BRIEFING National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG), and New Permitted Development Rights

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY GUIDANCE (NPPG) Provides guidance to the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework). Available From: Totally online resource (but you can print it easily). Regularly(?) updated. alerts of guidance changes available for whichever section(s) you wish.

THE NPPG REPLACES… 58 Good Practice Guides 40 Circulars 40 Letters 8 Procedures / Protocol Documents 6 Notes 4 PPGs/PPSs Planning Policy Guidance Notes and Planning Policy Statements (25 of these were superseded by the NPPF)

…WITH… 41 Sections Advertisements Air Quality Appeals Before Submitting an Application Climate Change Conserving and Enhancing the Historic Environment Consultation and Pre-Decision Matters Crown Development Design Determining a Planning Application Duty to Cooperate Ensuring Effective Enforcement Ensuring the Vitality of Town Centres Environmental Impact Assessment Flexible Options for Planning Permissions Flood Risk and Coastal Change Hazardous Substances Health and Wellbeing Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment Land Affected by Contamination Land Stability Lawful Development Certificates Light Pollution Local Plans Making an Application Minerals Natural Environment Neighbourhood Planning Noise Open Space, Sports and Recreation Facilities, Public Rights of Way and Local Green Space Planning Obligations Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Rural Housing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and Statements in Decision-taking Tree Preservation Orders and Trees in Conservation Areas Use of Planning Conditions Viability Water Supply, Wastewater and Water Quality When is Permission Required? …and…

…THERE ARE STILL: 37 Circulars 33 Good Practice Guides, and Planning Policy Statement 10: Waste Management But the NPPG is a useful and concise tool that is easy to use and easy to digest.

EACH SECTION IS SPLIT INTO QUESTIONS

REGULARLY UPDATED One can sign up to alerts through the website, which is a great feature. Regularly updated: Providing clarity, accuracy and precision for decision making, being able to respond to changes in circumstance, or; Too many changes could create confusion, and the ability to change guidance is potentially open to abuse. Perhaps the process will replicate Letters? There is certainly a balance to be reached and time will tell.

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS In total there are now 35 amendment Statutory Instruments to the General Permitted Development Order 1995 I will cover Changes that came into force 30 May 2013 Changes that come into force in April 2014 Disclaimer: The following is not comprehensive – each Permitted Development Right comes with certain limitations and conditions before they can be exercised, and should be checked against the legislation on a case by case basis.

PREVIOUS AMENDMENTS (1) Residential Permitted Development Available between 30 May 2013 and 30 May m detached, 6m all other houses Prior approval process required including neighbour consultation Conversion of Offices to Residential Available between 30 May 2013 and 30 May 2016 Prior approval process required, Local Planning Authority to consider traffic, flooding and contamination Planning permission required for external works Change of use of Agricultural Buildings To A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants and cafes), B1 (business), B2 (storage or distribution), C1 (hotels), or D2 (assembly and leisure) Prior approval process required if greater than 150m 2

PREVIOUS AMENDMENTS (2) Flexible Uses Allows one to temporarily change the use for up to two years From, Classes A1 (shops), A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants and cafes), A4 (drinking establishments, Class A5 (hot food takeaways), B1 (business), D1 (non-residential institutions) and D2 (assembly and leisure) To, Class A1 (shops), Class A2 (financial and professional services), Class A3 (restaurants and cafes) or Class B1 (business) Changes of Use of Buildings and Land to State Funded Schools From, B1 (Business), C1 (Hotels), C2 (Residential Institutions), C2A (Secure Residential Institutions) or D2 (Assembly and Leisure)

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT FROM APRIL 2014 (1) Change of use from shops (A1) and financial & professional services (A2) to dwellinghouses (C3). (A1 or A2, to C3) This change of use will not apply to land protected by Article 1(5) of the General Permitted Development Order (National Parks, the Broads, areas of outstanding natural beauty, conservations areas, World Heritage Sites) Prior notification allowing Local Planning Authority to protect local services No further permission required for building operations reasonably necessary to convert the building Shops (A1) will be able to change to banks, building societies, credit unions and friendly societies, within the A2 use class. This does not cover betting shops or payday loan shops.

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT FROM APRIL 2014 (2) Conversion of agricultural buildings on a farm will be able to change to provide houses Up to 450 square metres can be converted Maximum of 3 houses This change of use will not apply in Article 1(5) land, for example: National parks Areas of outstanding natural beauty. Conservation Areas Prior approval process required which will allow for flooding issues to be addressed

PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT FROM APRIL 2014 (3) Extend the existing permitted development rights for change of use to state-funded schools to additionally cover registered nurseries. ie B1, C1, C2, C2A, D2 to registered nurseries. Agricultural buildings up to 500 square metres will also be able to change to state-funded schools or registered nurseries.