Government publishes regulations simplifying householder development

The Government has published the Parliamentary legislation which simplifies the householder development regime.

The revised planning regulations, due to come into force next month (October), are expected to significantly reduce the number of planning applications handled by local authorities as well saving homeowners money because they will no longer be liable for planning fees.

Under these reforms the majority of homeowners will no longer need to get planning permission when extending their houses.

This should mean 80,000 fewer planning applications annually.

The new rules will now allow both loft conversions and rear extensions. Non overbearing loft conversions will enjoy automatic permission. Rear extensions will no longer have a cap on volume.

Local authorities will be able to introduce local variations by using Local Development Orders to allow bigger extensions or Article 4 Directions to restrict development where necessary.

Ministers have stressed that the new rules strike a balance between allowing homeowners to make improvements and limiting the size of extensions so neighbours and neighbourhoods are protected from obtrusive development.

Planning minister Caroline Flint said: "The new rules will cut out planning permissions for about 80,000 households a year and crucially saving as much as £1,000 in some cases – a real difference to already stretched family finances making home improvements an increasingly attractive option."

In a related development the Government has also published the new planning regulations designed to reduce flood risks caused by surface water run-offs. Under these changes new or replacement driveways and parking areas over five square metres will not need planning permission provided they are constructed using surfaces which allow the water to soak through to the ground.

Proposed driveways of more than five square metres using traditional, impermeable surfaces will now require planning permission. 'Guidance to the permeable surfacing of front gardens' has been drawn up jointly by Communities and Local Government and the Environment Agency.

To help people understand the new rules for householder applications they have been publicised via the Building Work section and Interactive House on the Planning Portal.

In a related development the Royal Town Planning Institute has called for a "Highway Code" style document on permitted development which would set out clearly what was allowed and what would need consent. The RTPI proposals are set out in the organisation's submission to the Killian Pretty Review of planning applications.

Read the Communities and Local Government news release.

Download Statutory Instrument No 2362 from the Office of Public Sector Information.

Go to the Building Work Common Projects section of the Planning Portal.

Open the Planning Portal Interactive House.

Roger Milne

11 September 2008