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Permitted development rights (PDRs) allow householders to make changes to their properties without applying to their local planning authority for planning permission. In England, PDRs are currently set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, also referred to as the General Permitted Development Order (GPDO). In Wales, the equivalent statutory instrument is the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. They include rights to make modifications to existing properties, such as building extensions or making other modifications.

The Permitted Development Rights (Extension) Bill [HL] would establish several new PDRs in primary legislation in England and Wales. This would include PDRs relating to adding side or rear extensions to an existing building and the right to increase the height of a building. It would also include PDRs to add modifications such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. A full list of these new PDRs is provided in the bill’s schedule. These PDRs would be subject to several restrictions in the bill. For example, they would not apply to listed buildings. 

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