Proposed changes to the planning system, designed to make home renovations easier, could kill off loft conversions, warns the Federation of Master Builders…

The Planning White Paper, unveiled a few weeks ago, was pitched as a sensible reform of the planning laws. It would, we were told, do away with planning permission for "minor developments" such as extensions and loft conversions.

But it seems the devil is in the detail. Builders are now saying the White Paper gives with one hand and takes away with the other.

So while old fashioned planning permission is to be reformed, a new 'impact test' for certain home improvements will reintroduce it by the back door – and could turn out to be much more stringent than the old regime.

The Planning White Paper states that "developments considered to have more than a low impact on the wider neighbourhood and/or street scene would require specific planning permission from the local planning authority."

Loft conversions effectively ‘wiped out’

This, warns the Federation of Master Builders, will in practice wipe out loft conversions. Brian Berry, FMB External Affairs Director, said:

"It is quite devious how the Planning White Paper has emphasised the removal of planning permission for home renovations whilst at the same time hiding the effective removal of permitted development rights for loft conversions.

"By applying the impact test to front or side roof extensions and to rear roof extensions that are less than one metre from eaves, ridges, verges or party walls, the proposal effectively wipes out all loft conversions in built up urban areas."

Bear in mind, though, that the White Paper is a consultation document, and the legislation that finally emerges from the process will probably have come to terms with these issues.

Just to be sure, the FMB is forming a loft action group to lobby the Government before the consultation deadline on 17th August.

Source - Findaproperty.co.uk