I think the feature request is not really needed, as the checkbox was moved to another location - i missed that memo myself as well, so understand the ZBXNEXT here.
At the same time the new behaviour is....
a) stupid and
b) bugged.

a) the option to apply permissions is not visible by default when you create a new group, only for existing groups.
b) the checkbox 'doesnt remember its state' but works: you check it, save it and the permissions are propagated. However if you open that config screen again, the checkbox is unchecked;

ZBX-25167 says not applying permissions automatically on every change is a bug.