Home improvers to benefit from new Bill

Posted: 04 Mar 2008 10:33:36 GMT

The New Planning Reform Bill will have a large impact on home improvers.

The New Planning Reform Bill will have a large impact on home improvers.

That is according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which said that homeowners will be glad of the opportunity to create extra space in their homes.

Currently, homeowners are limited to the amount of space they can create within a property without first gaining planning permission.

This usually translates into people having to choose between getting a loft conversion and extending the kitchen.

However, the new Planning Reform Bill, which is due to come into effect in October, will allow homeowners more freedom to upgrade their properties.

"It will have a very large impact. It means that people at last can have their loft conversion and extend their kitchen by an extra three metres at the back of the house," said Brian Berry from the FMB.

"So it will become easier from October this year to create extra space in your home.

"The government recognises that there is a housing shortage, and is trying to create more space within our existing towns and cities," he added.

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