Rangewell's Ten Point Plan for Permitted Development Rights

Rangewell’s 10 Point PDR Plan

1. Implement a national 28-day fast-track for Prior Approval – Streamline approvals for low-risk schemes with automatic deemed consent.

2. Permit modest external alterations – Allow balconies, stairwells, and rear extensions to improve internal layout and functionality. Most importantly, this ensures the homes delivered are of higher quality and genuinely suitable for the people who will live in them.
3. Provide capital allowances or business rates holidays for empty commercial properties converted under PDR.
4. Align tax incentives – Apply VAT relief, capital allowances, or SDLT discounts on PDR schemes to allow marginal schemes to become sustainable
5. Expand the number of units allowed above shops, and allow larger barn conversions beyond 5 units.
6. Green rooftop additions – Allow air source heat pumps, solar panels, and rooftop gardens where design impact is low and living standards benefit.
7. Expand PDR into Article 4 and conservation zones – Unlock development in high-vacancy areas with controlled relaxation.
8. Permit limited demolition under Class Q – Allow structurally unsound barns to be part-rebuilt as long as footprint is retained, and publish national guidance on what counts as “conversion” to reduce local authority blockages.
9. Expand allowable commercial uses under Class MA – Bring in clinics, light industrial, and sui generis (e.g. laundrettes) to boost applicability.
10. Enable flexible use (e.g. live-work or co-living) – Create PDR sub-classes that support new lifestyle needs in smaller units, including use rights for serviced accommodation