Introduction of Airspace PDR

Last week saw the announcement from Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick that, in certain circumstances, airspace development will come under permitted development rights.

Amongst a raft of proposals set out to get the country building housing stock and the economy once more, it was said that developers will be able to construct up to two storeys of new accommodation immediately above the existing topmost residential storey of purpose-built detached blocks of flats. This is great news for the industry with an easing of regulation helping to dramatically move forward the ability to deliver new airspace homes.

As would be expected, there were a number of instances where development would not come under permitted rights, such as if the existing building is less than three storeys above ground level, the new dwellings are anything other than flats, and if the existing building is Grade Listed.

The Planning White Paper also attached numerous conditions to the policy, amongst others the need for prior approval from local planning authorities regarding the impact on the existing and neighbouring buildings right to light and privacy, and whether the development will impact upon a protected view.

Exclusions and conditions to the permitted development rights are of course the norm and a necessity. Previous legislation allowing conversions of offices to residential dwellings has seen too many poorly designed and inadequate developments take place. Not something Sussex Airspace Developments want to see repeated.

Managing director Nigel Redfern said "Having waited for this fantastic opportunity to become a reality the need for regulation is paramount. As an industry we can address the chronic housing shortage and provide high quality homes for people to live in. We echo calls for a social housing provision to be included within the PDR and we look forward to helping supply new housing throughout Sussex and the South Coast".