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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Shake-up for home extension rules | Shake-up for home extension rules |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans to cut red tape to make it easier in England to build home extensions are expected to be announced by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly next week. | |
| A White Paper will propose an "impact" test for developments which would currently require planning permission. | A White Paper will propose an "impact" test for developments which would currently require planning permission. |
| Under the proposals, minor developments such as conservatories or wind turbines would no longer need permission where there is little impact on neighbours. | Under the proposals, minor developments such as conservatories or wind turbines would no longer need permission where there is little impact on neighbours. |
| The paper would also give councils more powers to refuse "eyesore" schemes. | The paper would also give councils more powers to refuse "eyesore" schemes. |
| Currently, householders have to go through the planning system if they have already extended the size of their properties, even where changes are very minor and there is clearly no impact on others. | Currently, householders have to go through the planning system if they have already extended the size of their properties, even where changes are very minor and there is clearly no impact on others. |
| Ministers are concerned about the time and bureaucracy involved in deciding these minor and uncontroversial applications. | Ministers are concerned about the time and bureaucracy involved in deciding these minor and uncontroversial applications. |
| We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Local Government Association | We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, Local Government Association |
| Private planning applications have more than doubled since 1995 to almost 330,000 per year and are costly and cumbersome for homeowners. | Private planning applications have more than doubled since 1995 to almost 330,000 per year and are costly and cumbersome for homeowners. |
| A seemingly routine planning application can take up to three months to be decided, and cost up to £1,000. | A seemingly routine planning application can take up to three months to be decided, and cost up to £1,000. |
| Ms Kelly will say the system should support people's aspirations to improve their homes, while retaining safeguards on noise, siting and size to protect their neighbours. | Ms Kelly will say the system should support people's aspirations to improve their homes, while retaining safeguards on noise, siting and size to protect their neighbours. |
| "Many people do not want to move but do want more room to bring up their kids, or to make minor home improvements or tackle climate change through microgeneration." | "Many people do not want to move but do want more room to bring up their kids, or to make minor home improvements or tackle climate change through microgeneration." |
| The secretary of state will also make clear that no-one undertaking such home improvements will be required to pay any additional council tax on their homes. | The secretary of state will also make clear that no-one undertaking such home improvements will be required to pay any additional council tax on their homes. |
| Chair of the Local Government Association, Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, said he agreed a faster, less bureaucratic system was needed. | Chair of the Local Government Association, Lord Sandy Bruce Lockhart, said he agreed a faster, less bureaucratic system was needed. |
| "We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like, if it cuts out a neighbour's view." | "We need a faster system, but obviously we can't have people simply building a garage where they like, if it cuts out a neighbour's view." |
| Urban sprawl | Urban sprawl |
| Given that more than nine out of 10 householder applications are finally agreed, ministers say resources would be better focussed on dealing with more difficult decisions and strategic development for local areas. | Given that more than nine out of 10 householder applications are finally agreed, ministers say resources would be better focussed on dealing with more difficult decisions and strategic development for local areas. |
| It is believed the changes could reduce the number of applications by up to 90,000 per year - up to a quarter of householder applications overall. | It is believed the changes could reduce the number of applications by up to 90,000 per year - up to a quarter of householder applications overall. |
| Other measures in the White Paper include: | Other measures in the White Paper include: |
| Other key pillars are expected to include enhancing community engagement, an improved decision-making process for major infrastructure projects, planning playing a bigger role in tackling climate change and ensuring planning supports vibrant town centres. | Other key pillars are expected to include enhancing community engagement, an improved decision-making process for major infrastructure projects, planning playing a bigger role in tackling climate change and ensuring planning supports vibrant town centres. |
| The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has said it fears the White Paper will further undermine the ability of planners to contain urban sprawl. | The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has said it fears the White Paper will further undermine the ability of planners to contain urban sprawl. |
| The organisation said the tone for the document was set by plans to build on about 10,000 acres of green belt land. | The organisation said the tone for the document was set by plans to build on about 10,000 acres of green belt land. |
| The Department of Communities and Local Government said its record showed it could increase building on brownfield sites and protect the green belt. | The Department of Communities and Local Government said its record showed it could increase building on brownfield sites and protect the green belt. |