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Open door for extensions on homes | Open door for extensions on homes |
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Families in cramped homes are to benefit from a scheme to scrap planning permission for many extensions and loft conversions, the government has said. | Families in cramped homes are to benefit from a scheme to scrap planning permission for many extensions and loft conversions, the government has said. |
The regulations, effective in England from 1 October, will mean 80,000 fewer applications and save up to £50m, Housing Minister Caroline Flint said. | |
She said families struggling to move due to the credit crunch would benefit. | She said families struggling to move due to the credit crunch would benefit. |
Two-storey extensions will be allowed if they extend no more than 10ft (3m) from the back of an existing property. | Two-storey extensions will be allowed if they extend no more than 10ft (3m) from the back of an existing property. |
Loft conversions will also be allowed without planning consent if they extend no more than eight inches (20cm) outwards from the eaves of a property. | Loft conversions will also be allowed without planning consent if they extend no more than eight inches (20cm) outwards from the eaves of a property. |
They must also be no bigger than 50 cubic metres - about the size of a room measuring 18ft by 12ft. For terraced houses it is 40 cubic metres. | They must also be no bigger than 50 cubic metres - about the size of a room measuring 18ft by 12ft. For terraced houses it is 40 cubic metres. |
Household applications are notoriously contentious The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors | Household applications are notoriously contentious The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors |
In conservation areas, loft conversions will still be restricted but single-storey rear extensions will be permitted. | In conservation areas, loft conversions will still be restricted but single-storey rear extensions will be permitted. |
The scheme has been talked about for several years but details have only just been revealed. | The scheme has been talked about for several years but details have only just been revealed. |
Caroline Flint said: "The new rules... will save as much as £1,000 in some cases - a real difference to already stretched family finances, making home improvement an increasingly attractive option. | Caroline Flint said: "The new rules... will save as much as £1,000 in some cases - a real difference to already stretched family finances, making home improvement an increasingly attractive option. |
"Often people grow out of the family home but now those who don't really want to move will find it easier to improve instead." | "Often people grow out of the family home but now those who don't really want to move will find it easier to improve instead." |
Domestic planning applications have doubled in the last 10 years to almost 330,000 a year, the government said. | Domestic planning applications have doubled in the last 10 years to almost 330,000 a year, the government said. |
Around 90% of applications are accepted and ministers believe they are wasting the time of councils which should be freed up to concentrate on bigger projects. | Around 90% of applications are accepted and ministers believe they are wasting the time of councils which should be freed up to concentrate on bigger projects. |
THE NEW RULES FROM 1 OCTOBER Loft conversions allowed up to 8ins (20cm) outwards from the eaves of the roofLofts no bigger than 50 cubic metres (18ft x 12ft) for semi-detached and detached homes and 40 cubic metres for terraced housesSingle or two-storey rear extensions allowed up to 10ft (3m) from the original houseLoft conversions still restricted in conservation areas but ground-floor rear extensions allowedBuilding regulations still apply to all conversions Interactive guide to changes | THE NEW RULES FROM 1 OCTOBER Loft conversions allowed up to 8ins (20cm) outwards from the eaves of the roofLofts no bigger than 50 cubic metres (18ft x 12ft) for semi-detached and detached homes and 40 cubic metres for terraced housesSingle or two-storey rear extensions allowed up to 10ft (3m) from the original houseLoft conversions still restricted in conservation areas but ground-floor rear extensions allowedBuilding regulations still apply to all conversions Interactive guide to changes |
Councils will have the discretion to tighten or relax the rules to fit local circumstances. | Councils will have the discretion to tighten or relax the rules to fit local circumstances. |
Building regulations will also remain in place, which means people will still have to show that health and safety standards are met. | Building regulations will also remain in place, which means people will still have to show that health and safety standards are met. |
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors welcomed the changes but said there was a danger tensions between neighbours could increase. | The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors welcomed the changes but said there was a danger tensions between neighbours could increase. |
A spokesman said: "Household applications are notoriously contentious and there will always be concerns regarding privacy, overlooking and the loss of emenity. | A spokesman said: "Household applications are notoriously contentious and there will always be concerns regarding privacy, overlooking and the loss of emenity. |
"It is often not the size of an extension but the ability to overlook that causes contention." | "It is often not the size of an extension but the ability to overlook that causes contention." |