Home owners in England will be able to extend their properties quickly and easily without the need for a full planning application, it has been announced.

Under a wide reaching package of reforms, rights allowing larger home extensions have been made permanent, following its introduction in 2013.

In addition, restrictive planning rules have also been axed, which will ensure business owners can respond quickly to changing trends on the High Street.

It means that home owners can extend their homes without a full planning application but they will have to provide consideration of the impact on neighbours.

Under the rules, they can put a single-storey rear extension on their property of up to six metres for terraced or semi-detached homes, or eight metres for detached homes.

Over 110,000 extensions have been completed since 2014 under the previously temporary rules. The announcement will mean more families can ensure their homes meet their specific needs, according to Housing Minister Kit Malthouse.

‘These measures will help families extend their properties without battling through time-consuming red tape. By making this permitted development right permanent, it will mean families can grow without being forced to move,’ he said.

He pointed out that it is part of a package of reforms to build more, better, faster and make the housing market work and sits alongside the Government’s drive to deliver 300,000 homes a year by the mid 2020s.

The aim is to make it easier for families to build outwards rather than go through the arduous process of moving to a larger home.

As part of the reforms, permitted development rights will also give business owners on the high street greater flexibility as they respond to changing trends in customer spending.

Shops will now be able to change to office space without the need for a full planning application, bringing skilled professionals and their disposable income back to the High Street and help support neighbouring traders by increasing local footfall.

‘Giving greater certainty to property owners and the wider industry, it will also help businesses adjust to the changing needs of the consumer,’ said High Streets Minister Jake Berry.

The move builds upon changes to the law which allow business owners to change the use of buildings from takeaways to new homes without undergoing a full planning application.

He also pointed out that to help deliver a greater mix of uses on the High Street, the changes also allow the temporary change of use from high street uses such shops, offices, and betting shops to certain community uses such as a library or public hall.

Original Source: Property Wire https://www.propertywire.com/news/uk/full-planning-application-no-longer-needed-for-many-home-extensions-in-england/