Home extension freedom

October sees the introduction of new planning regulations making it easier for homeowners to have extensions and loft conversions.
 
Following new rules established in September, the majority of homeowners will not have to get planning permission to extend their home.
 
The changes will mean homeowners will not have to budget for planning costs – up to £1,000 – nor wait for permission to come through.
 
Housing minister Caroline Flint said: "From today people will find it has become much easier to convert the loft and build on an extension.
 
"The changes the government has made will mean about 80,000 households a year no longer have to get planning permission. At a time when the whole country is counting their pennies carefully any room to make a saving on stretched family finances is particularly welcome."
 
A poll by Sainsbury Insurance shows 21 per cent of British homeowners would like to undertake major structural changes to their property.
 
Neil Laird, Sainsbury’s home insurance manager, said: “These new regulations will make it a lot easier for homeowners in England who want to build rear extensions or carry out loft conversions, though people should still check exactly what they do and don’t need permission for."
 
He added your home insurance company also needs to be told about any extension as it could affect premiums.
 
Until now householders have only been able to have a maximum extension of 70m3 – often meaning a small loft conversion or a rear extension could be permitted without requiring planning permission.
 
Anyone who had previously extended their property - by as little a ten per cent in the case of terraced houses - found they required planning permission.
 
The new rules will now allow a one storey extension to be up to 3m deep. Loft conversions of 40 or 50m3 will also be allowed automatic permission.
 
Rear extensions will no longer have volume cap but loft conversions continue to have an overall volume cap to control overbearing conversions on larger homes – with the size depending on the type of property.
 
Full details are available at http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html along with an interactive guide to home improvements.