The Government has recently issued the following press releases, which reiterate its intention to make further changes to the planning system:

• October 2015: Government press release - "Historic Housing and Planning Bill will transform generation rent into generation buy" (link).
• October 2015: Government press release - "Thousands more homes to be developed in planning shake up" (link).
• October 2015: Government press release - "Prime Minister: Councils must deliver local plans for new homes by 2017" (link).
• October 2015: Government press release - "Chancellor announces major plan to get Britain building" (link).

KEY QUOTES FROM THE ABOVE PRESS RELEASES (relating to the planning system):

• Note: In relation to the planning system, much of the information provided by the above press releases is a repeat of the information set out by the "productivity plan" in July 2015 (please view this post) and by the "rural productivity plan" in August 2015 (please view this post).
• Note: Any proposals that will (or might) affect PD rights are shown below in red.
• Note: The (draft) "Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16" has been published, and is available here.

Part 3 Class O of the GPDO (i.e. office-to-residential conversions):

• "... these permitted development rights will now be made permanent. In addition those who already have permission will have 3 years in which to complete the change of use ...".
• "To further support the delivery of new homes, the rights will in future allow the demolition of office buildings and new building for residential use.".
• "The rights to allow for demolition of offices and new build as residential use will be subject to limitations and prior approval by the local planning authority. Further details will be provided in due course.".
• "[The current exemptions for article 2(5) land within 17 local authorities] will remain in place until May 2019, providing time for local authorities to consider making an Article 4 direction to remove the rights and require a planning application for any proposed change of use.".
• Note: The above quotes are from the 2nd of the above press releases.

Part 3 of the GPDO - additional Class(es):

• "In addition, new permitted development rights will enable the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to new homes.".
• "The new permitted development rights for the change of use of light industrial buildings and launderettes to residential use will be subject to prior approval by the local planning authority. Further details will be provided in due course.".
• Note: The above quotes are from the 2nd of the above press releases.

Starter homes:

• "Measures include ...
  - New affordable Starter Homes – a new legal duty will be placed on councils to guarantee the provision of 200,000 Starter Homes on all reasonably sized new development sites; these will be offered to first-time buyers at a 20% discount on market prices".
• Note: The above quote is from the 1st of the above press releases.

Local plans:

• "Measures include ...
  - Local Plans – providing the government with targeted powers to ensure that all councils get Local Plans in place by 2017, so they can help provide the homes their communities need".
• "Following today’s announcement, if councils fail to produce and bring into force an up to date plan for new homes by 2017, we will work with local people to ensure one is drawn up. Ministers will shortly be bringing forward further details of how best to intervene when councils have failed to get started on their plans.".
• Note: The above quotes are from the 1st and 3rd of the above press releases.

Brownfield land:

• "Following the 2015 Productivity Plan the government will legislate to provide automatic planning permission in principle on all brownfield sites on the “brownfield register”.".
• Note: The above quote is from the 4th of the above press releases.