The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order comes into effect on 6 April 2018. 

The amended permitted development rights for the change of use of agricultural buildings to provide up to five new homes will, in England, subject to limitations allow for:

• up to 3 larger homes within a maximum of 465 square metres or
• up to 5 smaller homes each no larger than 100 square metres or
• a mix of both, within a total of no more than 5 homes, of which no more than 3 may be larger homes.

To further support housing delivery, developers will have a further year, until 10 June 2019, in which to benefit from the temporary permitted development right for the change of use of buildings used for storage and distribution to residential use.

The amendment order also introduces a new Article (7ZA) into the General Permitted Development Order 2015 modifying the time limits on periods for consideration of prior approval applications in instances where the Secretary of State is considering, or decides to, call in such applications under s77 of the Town and Country Planning Act.