The Bill also includes a series of changes to licensing laws to ease rules for consuming food and drink outdoors.

The ‘automatic’ extensions will come into force 28 days after the Act is passed, the construction site working hours proposal will come into force six days after the Act is passed, while the appeal procedure flexibility would be implemented as soon as the legislation is passed.

The Bill is due to be ‘fast-tracked’ through all stages of Parliamentary approval in the coming days. It will be advisable to document any extension in writing, with the relevant authority, to avoid any future uncertainty.

In other Planning news, changes to Permitted Development (PD) rights have also been announced, which come into force from 1 August. These will allow existing blocks of flats to be extended upwards by two storeys to create new homes without the need for planning permission. The new right is restricted to buildings of three storeys or more and the extended building must not be more than 30 metres in height. The right only applies to buildings built after 1 July 1948 and before 5 March 2018. Prior approval will be required, which will consider transport and highways impacts; air traffic and defence asset impacts; contamination and flooding risks. In addition, Councils can consider external appearance; daylight; impact on neighbouring amenity and protected views.

Further reforms of the planning system are expected over the Summer, including a new PD right to allow the demolition of existing commercial premises and replacement with new build homes. This is seen as a response to the rapidly changing nature of demand for office and retail space, in particular in town and city centres, as a result of Covid-19.

We will provide regular updates on what is currently a fast changing planning system. In the meantime please get in touch with Neil Jones or any member of our national planning team for further advice.