Planning news and events
Cabinet approves amendments to Sustainability Construction Checklist
The following amendments to the Sustainable Construction Checklist SPD were approved on 11 December 2008 and include:
- The reduction of the threshold to 1 or more homes (previously 5 or more) and to 100 sq m or more commercial development (previously 1000 sq m).
- Replace the requirement for new housing to meet the EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ standard with a requirement to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3. (Conversions and all commercial and other development will still be required to meet the relevant EcoHomes ‘Excellent’ or BREEAM standard).
- Increase the previous requirement for 10% on-site renewable energy to 20%, in line with London Plan policy 4A.7, unless it can be demonstrated that such provision is not feasible
Read the full document.
Changes to the Permitted Development Rights for houses
The government has announced changes to the Permitted Development Rights for houses. These changes will come in to force on the 1 October. Information about the changes to the legislation are provided by the Office of Public Sector Information or general guidance by the Planning Portal.
These new regulations may mean you will not need permission to carry out the development in some cases and in others like new driveways it will mean that you will. Please check with the Planning Department before starting any work. The Planning Portal can help with their Interactive Householders Guide.
The Planning Department are currently reviewing the public information on Permitted Development and updated pages will appear shortly. Please refer to our Permitted Development Rights web page.
Date posted: 1 October 2008