The author of an official study into the quality homes produced under permitted development rights has hit out the government’s decision to expand the system, and accused ministers of basing their decision on ‘ideology’.

A government-commissioned independent report compiled by UCL academic Dr Ben Clifford, published earlier this week, showed that just a small fraction homes created under permitted development (PD) rights met national space standards, and were in general of worse quality “in relation to a number of factors widely linked to the health, wellbeing and quality of life” of occupants.

…