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RTPI calls for planning permission requirement to remain for retail

Planners are calling on Government to drop proposals that would add homes to High Streets without developers having to apply for planning permission.

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has written to Housing and Planning Minister Kit Malthouse saying that homes converted from retail premises will not help in the quest for more affordable properties being made available.

The Government is proposing to add new Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), notably to convert High Street outlets to offices, and takeaways to offices or homes as well as allowing extra storeys on existing buildings and demolishing and redeveloping commercial premises for residential use.

In a letter to the Minister and more than 40 MPs, the RTPI points out that housing converted from retail and other high street premises via PDRs have little impact on providing affordable homes. It argues that dead frontages on High Streets, many of which are already in decline, would diminish their community role, damage their character irretrievably and kill off pedestrian footfall as well as taking away the vitality and viability of a typical High Street.

The letter points out that the RTPI believes that PDRs add further financial pressure on local authorities as they do not generate sufficient planning fees for their processing, and no developer contributions can be collected for affordable housing and infrastructure.

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