26/09/2012
Clarification of New Planning Laws (26th September 2012)
Im getting a quite a few comments along the lines of ‘now the government has done away with Planning, I can build what I want’, the simple answer is NO!
The more complicated answer is you can build some things and undertake some alterations to a home, subject to a number of criteria. This is called ‘Permitted Development’ and has been around for a while. The rules can get a little confusing and to top it off, they may have been overridden by your Local Authority.
There is a very good website produced by the government which is a good first call, www.planningportal.gov.uk, followed by a telephone call to your Local Authority or experienced advisor. If your in London, Brighton, Hastings or the South East generally then we would be happy to help, just telephone 01424 850951.
So that’s the old rules, the recent announcements / propaganda currently does not change any of the above. Basically what has been said that may affect a common householder (flats are excluded from permitted development) is that the Government are having a month long consultation period with a view of changing the sizes a house can extend by under permitted development by double of the existing rules (length).
It is a consultation only and we won’t know the outcome until its announced, but any changes are expected to be implemented this year on a temporary basis.
Im sure that if / when the changes do come into effect, the Government will ensure we all know about it, until that time, nothing has changed.
There are other proposed changes which are designed to make developments more profitable for house builders, but that’s a different story which probably won’t affect you. Though if you want me to make commentary on it as I see it, or post something on any other Building related matter, then let me know by email [email protected]
Details of types of micro-generation suitable for home use and advice on saving energy as well as information on the permitted development regime for green projects.
