Families can add two storeys to homes WITHOUT full planning permission under new laws introduced today
FAMILIES will be able to add two storeys to a home without getting full planning permission under new laws being introduced today.
Instead, homeowners keen to build upwards on their properties will be offered a speedier approval process.
The new rules are being laid out in parliament today and will come into effect by September.
The measures are part of an overhaul of "outdated and bureaucratic" planning permission laws first revealed by The Sun last year.
It means homeowners of detached properties can expand their current living space upwards rather than having to fork out huge costs moving.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said he hoped people would use the powers to add space for elderly relatives or additional bedrooms for growing families.
Things you can do without planning permission
HERE are a few other things you can do to your home without getting planning permission.
All of them are subject to a few restrictions and building regulations. You can find the full list on the .
- Add single storey extensions of up to 4m by 6m,
- Moving windows and doors, as long as you're not looking directly into neighbouring properties,
- Move interioir walls, as long as the total footprint of the house stays the same,
- Loft conversions of up to 50 cubic metres for detached and semi-detached properties, or 40 cubic metres for terraced houses
- Single-storey conservatories of up to 4m by 6m,
- Outbuildings that double up as office space
- A porch of up to 3m tall
- Garden decking as long as it's more than 30cm above ground,
- Swimming pool as long as it's no bigger than 50 per cent of the size of the garden.
Planning laws currently prevent homeowners from extending houses above a certain height, depending on the size and type of property.
For example, owners of detached and terraced houses with two storeys or more can build up to two extra storeys, up to a height of 18 metres.
While single storey homes will be able to add one additional storey.
But those who build single storey extensions and loft conversions can do so without getting planning permission, as long as the extensions are smaller than the measurements listed above.
Although, they are still subject to a few restrictions and building regulations.
The Sun has asked the Ministry of Housing whether the maximum height will still apply by September, and we'll update this article once we hear back.
How the rules for additional storeys are changing
HOMEOWNERS planning to add up to two storeys to their homes currently need to seek full planning permission to do it.
But from September this year, families will be offered a speedier approval process.
Planning permission can take up to 16 weeks to get hold of, but the new rules means you'll have a decision within eight weeks.
Local planning authorities will still be required to consult with neighbours regarding the plans, although the powers to block extensions will be reduced.
The reforms don't apply to protected areas such as conservation areas or national parks, meaning homeowners in such areas still need to apply for full planning permission.
Planning permission can take between eight and 16 weeks to get hold of and gives neighbours the opportunity to formally object to plans.
But under the reforms, homeowners will be able to apply to extend their properties through a "fast-track approval service" and then get a response within eight weeks.
But the reforms limit the powers for local communities to block extensions, which could spark rows over unsightly developments.
The Ministry of Housing insists developers will still have to comply with building regulations, and consider the impact on neighbours and the appearance of the extension.
It said the changes - which will also allow empty commercial properties in town centres to be converted into homes - will reduce pressure to build on greenfield sites.
Councils will, however, be able to block extensions for a limited number of reasons including traffic congestion, flood risk and noise pollution.
Mr Jenrick said: "We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with new enterprises and more housing.
"These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities.
"It will mean that families can add up to two storeys to their home, providing much needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows."
But Daniel Slade, from the Town and Country Planning Association, said the reforms would lead to a boom in "thousands of tiny, poor quality "homes" in unacceptable locations such as industrial estates".
And Mark Challis, planning and environment partner at law firm BDB Pitmans, added: "Although relaxing planning controls will strike a positive note with many, particularly in view of the economic and social effects of covid-19, there is a price to be paid in the quality of development that can come forward with limited scrutiny by planning authorities.
"Moreover planning is a public process and this proposed expansion of permitted development rights will leave some people affected by development feeling frustrated that they have not had a proper chance to have their say about it."
Most read in Money
The changes come less than a month after Boris Johnson promised "the most radical reforms of our planning system since the end of the Second World War".
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Homeowners can add £62,000 to the value of their home by adding a loft conversion - and you can do it without getting planning permission.
Another thing you can do without permission is converting your garage into an extra room if you don't plan to make any changes to the exterior of the house.