HEATING, VENTILATION & SERVICES 71 Permission to criticise


Permitted Development Rights have fast-tracked housing delivery, but often at the expense of thermal comfort and occupant wellbeing, says Andrew Nash from Nuaire, who warns that reforms and ventilation innovation are urgently needed.


P


ermitted Development Rights (PDR) emerged as a fast-track response to the UK’s housing crisis. From 2013, PDRs have allowed for change of use for buildings in commercial, business and service use to a dwelling, without the need for planning permission from the local planning authority (LPA). Nor are they subject to full Building Regulations. By allowing commercial buildings to be repurposed as residential units in this way, they offer a speedy solution to increasing the housing stock. Between 2015/16 and 2022/23, 102,830 new homes were created in England through change of use PDRs, which is approximately 6% of the net additional homes delivered since 2015/16.


ADF OCTOBER 2025


Has PDR created more problems? A 2020 study commissioned by the Government found that homes created through PDRs resulted in ‘worse quality residential environments’ than those that required LPA planning permission. By sidestepping the usual regulatory frameworks, PDR conversions often escape the rigorous checks designed to ensure homes are safe and comfortable. Critically, they are exempt from Part O of Building Regulations, which addresses overheating in residential dwellings and aims to protect the health and wellbeing of occupants by reducing the occurrence of high indoor temperatures. This exemption leaves thousands of homes at risk, specifi cally


Beyond the health risks, overheating also affects mental wellbeing and economic productivity


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