On the Case: Why the High Court upheld PDR and planning use class reforms

Hannah Quarterman, partner and head of planning at Hogan Lovells International, explains the High Court decision in R (Rights: Community: Action) v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2020] EWHC 3073 (Admin); [2020] PLSCS 208 - an eagerly awaited judgment in a judicial review challenge to the government's planning measures introduced during the pandemic.

Quarterman explains why campaign group Rights: Community: Action is opposed to changes to permitted development rights and to the use classes order, intended to give greater flexibility to stimulate development - and outlines the legal grounds of challenge it pursued in court.

She details the court's findings, considers the prospects of any appeal, and takes a broader look at the planning issues that lie behind the judicial review.