Ministers have revealed proposals to make it easier to extend existing buildings vertically.
Housing secretary Sajid Javid said the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework would support construction above
homes, shops and offices, where it would be in keeping with the area. The draft document, due to go out for consultation in
the coming weeks, will include a range of policies developed since last year’s housing white paper.
It will propose allowing two levels to be added to a property, provided it remain in keeping with the roofline of other
buildings in the area. Housing secretary Sajid Javid said: ‘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.’
Developers welcomed the initiative. British Property Federation chief executive Melanie Leech said: ‘If we’re going to
successfully address the UK’s housing supply-demand imbalance, it’s critical that we find bold new ideas. Making it easier to
add floors to a property, so that an underused house becomes several flats, is a good example of an initiative which should
encourage local authorities to think creatively about solutions in their area.’
Architects Journal (7th February 2018)