No more planning pains for home extensions

Rochdale residents wanting to improve their homes will no longer have to submit arduous planning applications to the Council.

Following regulations laid on 10 September the new planning rules coming in effect today (Wednesday 1 October) mean that the majority of homeowners will no longer need to get planning permission to extend their home.

The changes allow people to extend their home up and out for the first time without needing to pay the costs (up to £1000) or wait weeks to get planning permission to start building.

There are limits on the size of extensions that do not have to go through planning so the government believes the new rules strike the right balance between helping homeowners to better their home and protecting neighbours against larger inappropriate or intrusive extensions.

A new interactive house guide helps people who want to improve their home, ensuring no one falls foul of the new rules.

The website www.planningportal.gov.uk guides users round the planning permission rules for homes - from everything at the front and back of house through to each floor inside.

All people have to do is click on the part the house they are changing whether it's a loft conversion, the driveway, solar panels, fencing, or even the bathroom and a pop up explains all the new rules.

Housing and Planning 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.