Government relaxes planning permission rules

Homeowners will no longer need to apply for planning permission for all extensions due to new criteria effective from today.

Until today, homeowners have only been able to undertake extensions with a maximum of 70 cubic metres – the equivalent of a small loft conversion or a rear extension – without planning permission.

Under the new regulations, homeowners will not have to apply for permission to build a variety of extensions, including loft conversions of 40 and 50 cubic metres and single or two-storey rear extensions that extend by a maximum of four metres from the original house.

Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint made the announcement earlier today, claiming that around 80,000 households, and particularly those at risk from floods, will benefit from the change in regulation.

The changes also allow homeowners who want to lay a new driveway or parking area of more than five metres to do so without planning permission if they use water permeable surfaces.

See http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html for further information.

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