'Nasty caveat' to permitted development rights

Recent reforms to permitted development (PD) rights should be taken with a pinch of salt, according to a leading expert.

Chief executive at Betternest Simon Smith believes homeowners looking to add space to their homes without the need for full planning permission should be aware that Article Four of the new legislation allows discretionary local authority amendments.

Mr Smith comments: "There's a nasty kind of caveat to the legislation which states that the right to sanction the articles and directions, and therefore amend your PD rights, is being handed solely to the local authorities."

He adds that under the reform, the local authority will be able to ultimately apply Article Four directive "left, right and centre, as much as they like, and that is a really worrying thing."

Revisions to PD rights came into effect of October 1st 2008 and affects home changes including loft conversions, extensions, off-street parking, outbuildings and roof light installation.