Planning shake-up - good news for home improvers

Size matters when it comes to property - it's one of the main factors determining your home's value. An extension is one way to increase how much your home is worth.

Obtaining planning permission for extension work has traditionally been a minefield of complications and costs for even the keenest DIY-er. Now a proposed shake-up to the planning process is set to make extensions quicker and easier to complete, making this a more appealing way to increase your home's value.

 
The current system

If you're thinking of adding a bedroom or increasing your living area, you need to obtain building and/or planning permission from your local council's planning department. Most forms of building work, particularly when altering the outward appearance of your home, need to be approved before you can go ahead with the work.

 
New proposals

The red tape involved in planning applications could soon be cut back significantly by proposals put forward in a recent Government white paper:

• A quicker planning application process
• A quicker appeals process
• Less paperwork
• Exemption from the planning process if a project doesn't affect neighbouring properties 

 
The benefits

According to Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly: "We will make it easier for people to make improvements to their homes, such as building conservatories or small extensions, while continuing to protect the interests of neighbours and local communities."

Extensions are already an attractive alternative to moving home for many homeowners. Not only is the cost of moving home rising, but larger sized properties are increasingly difficult to find.

The potential for profit on an extension project is also high. Depending on the type of property and your local property market, you could make an average of £60,000 when you come to sell.

 
Planning permission pointers

1. Plan your project carefully - UpMyStreet's guide to kickstarting home improvements will give you some useful pointers

2. Contact your local council's planning department - it's your responsibility to find out if you need planning permission, and you'll need to obtain it before starting work

3. Calculate costs - use the government's Planning Portal website to get an approximate price for your application

4. Waiting times - each case will differ, but find out your local council's average performance for turning applications around

5. Prepare for the worst - if your plan is rejected, you can follow an appeals process