Planning permission to build upwards could be granted to homeowners in UK cities that are suffering from a supply shortage.
In cities such as Manchester and London, planning policy could be changed by the British Government to reduce restrictions on building upwards. This is in a bid to maximise available space and ease the supply shortage in high density areas.
This could mean that, as long as the property remains in line with the local roofline, additional levels could be added.
The aim of this, as set out by Sajid Javid, is to help make sure that areas of open space, residential character and people’s privacy are protected and maintained in cities.
The Housing Secretary stated: ‘The answer to building new homes isn’t always an empty plot, or developing on a derelict site. We need to be more creative and make more effective use of the space we already have available.
‘That’s why we are looking to strengthen planning rules to encourage developers to be more innovative and look at opportunities to build upwards where possible when delivering the homes the country needs.’
This forms part of the Government’s aim to boost housing, with the policy to be set out in the amended draft National Planning Policy Framework. This is scheduled for consultation in the upcoming months.
