PLANNING APPROVAL

Lawyers have criticised plans to fast track planning approval allowing homeowners to add two floors to houses without full planning permission. The changes will come into effect by September and also remove the requirement for full planning applications to demolish and rebuild unused buildings as homes and for repurposing commercial properties. BDB Pitmans partner Mark Challis said: 'There is a price to be paid in the quality of development that can come forward with limited scrutiny by planning authorities.' 21 July 2020