Recently, the UK Government published the consultation proposal, ‘Permitted development rights: supporting temporary recreational campsite, renewable energy, and film-making consultation.’ The focus of the proposal is to allow for new rights over the land, creating additional revenue for landowners, as well as promoting the use of land in a more sustainable way.
The proposal suggests making the following changes:
· A right for landowners to set up temporary campsites, hopefully resulting in more stay-at-home holidays;
· Relaxing rules to allow solar equipment to be installed at both domestic and non-domestic buildings;
· Increasing the amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels on non-domestic buildings on land in designated areas such as national parks and conservation areas;
· Allowing solar canopies up to 4 metres high in off-street car parks such as those at supermarkets and retail parks;
· Power for local authorities to install electric vehicle charging points; and
· Changing the permitted development rights to allow for the temporary use of buildings or land for film-making purposes.
The proposed changes highlight that land use needs to be more flexible and adapt to the current needs of the population and the environment. This should allow both commercial and residential landowners to pertain more benefits from their land.
If implemented the changes will be rolled out throughout England and Wales. It is unknown at this point whether Scotland and Northern Ireland will also adopt these proposals.
To discuss Commercial Property issues, please email us at info@ramsdens.co.uk or call us on 01484 821 500 to speak to a member of our team.