The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) has outlined its concern over the Government’s plans to increase the amount of permitted development for extensions, saying it puts more properties at risk of surface water flooding.
In a response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation, ‘Extending permitted development rights for homeowners and businesses’, Nick Reeves OBE, Executive Director at CIWEM, said it was disappointing that since the vocal opposition and subsequent progress made to update the National Planning Policy Framework last year the government have decided to push through the reforms that undermine it using the assumption that it will only be on a temporary basis.
“If the proposition of extending permitted development rights for homeowners is worth making then it should be on a permanent basis,” the letter reads.
In the changes mooted, DCLG has proposed increasing the size limits for extensions that do not need planning permission for a period of three years in order to help boost the economy and the ailing construction sector.
CIWEM considers that changing the rules for 3 years “will only add further complications.” In his letter, Mr Reeves warns:
“The concern is that by increasing the amount of permitted development, the cumulative impact, especially in towns and cities will not be controlled. Urban creep is a significant contributor to surface water flooding, urban heat island effects and biodiversity loss.”
“A clear and considered long term view is required to create compact communities that allow transport without a car, prioritise regeneration, protect and promote local distinctiveness and incorporate green space. Allowing development on a temporary basis ignores the plan led system and is likely to set precedents that will persist in the system for years.”
The letter goes on to say that more lax development regulations are at odds with the increasing occurrence of more intense rainfall.
“An increase in hard impermeable surfaces is illogical at a time when flood events are ever increasing and local authority funds for flood defences are being restricted,” said Reeves. “There will be no system to recoup funds for local infrastructure as the development will be taking place outside of the planning system and Section 106/CIL agreements.”
He then goes on to suggest the government is not interested in sustainable development.
“There is little evidence to suggest that the Government had considered or addressed the social or environmental impact of its proposals,” the letter says.
CIWEM is urging the government to reconsider the proposals and allow local authorities the opportunity to enact the plan-led system.
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