The RIBA has condemned government proposals to expand permitted development rights, labelling plans to allow the demolition and replacement of industrial and commercial property with housing a “fundamental contradiction”.

Responding to the government’s proposals to reform the planning system, including commitments to reform planning fees and forge ahead with a previously trailed expansion of permitted development rights, RIBA’s professional services director Adrian Dobson said he welcomed pledges to review current house building processes, connect the development of housing and infrastructure more effectively and make land ownership more transparent.

…