The Government Giveth and the Government Taketh Away

17th September 2008

T. Wyn Jones

The much-vaunted change in Planning Regulations comes into force in October.

It is said that the revised Planning Regulations are expected to significantly reduce the number of Planning Applications handled by Local Authorities as well as saving homeowners money because they will no longer be liable for planning application fees. In fact it is understood that under these reforms the majority of homeowners will no longer require Planning Permission when they extend their house.

The new rules will now give both loft conversions and rear extensions automatic planning permission, which should result in 80,000 fewer Planning Applications annually, however it must be noted that Local Authorities can curb this automatic right where they feel fit.

By unclogging the Planning System the overworked Planning Authorities can now spend more time appraising planning issues of greater importance. However, and as indicated in a previous article, the Government have published new Planning Regulations designed to reduce flood risks caused by surface water run-offs. One example of this is that work to proposed driveways of more than 5 sqm incorporating traditional impermeable surfaces (i.e. tarmac) now require Planning Permission!