Changes to planning permission

The government has announced plans to day to scrap planning permission for many extensions and loft conversions.

The regulations, effective from October 1st, will remove 80,000 planning applications from the system each year.

Industry bodies such as the British Property Federation (BPF) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have welcomed the scheme, which will greatly benefit families struggling to move to bigger homes during the credit crunch.

New regulations also mean that councils will be able to tighten or relax rules to fit local circumstances, freeing up valuable council time to concentrate on bigger projects.

Housing Minister 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."

THE NEW RULES:

• Loft conversions allowed up to 8ins (20cm) outwards from the eaves of the roof
• Lofts no bigger than 50 cubic metres (18ft x 12ft) for semi-detached and detached homes and 40 cubic metres for terraced houses
• Single or two-storey rear extensions allowed up to 10ft (3m) from the original house
• Loft conversions still restricted in conservation areas but ground-floor rear extensions allowed
• Building regulations still apply to all conversions

• Read the full story from the BBC News
• For more information visit The Planning Portal
• Or to find out what rules apply to your project, try their interactive guide

• For advice and inspiration, visit H&R's Renovate or Convert section