New planning laws 'more straightforward'

Posted: 16 Oct 2008 12:00:05 GMT

Changes to the UK's planning laws will make it easier for homeowners to improve their property.

That is the opinion of the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), which has suggested that new rules relating to private planning permission are going to make it a "much more straightforward process".

NHIC director Andrew Leech said that it is likely that a growing number of people will begin to extend their homes.

However, he asserted that the current financial climate means that this will not happen for a while.

Mr Leech commented: "Once we get [the credit crunch] out of the way, which may take some time, then we will probably see that people will be more happy to get on with extending their houses. It's going to be a much more straightforward process."

The changes to the laws on planning permission came into effect on October 1st, 2008.

As a result, people will be allowed to extend their homes without waiting weeks for permission or paying the costs of up to £1,000.



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