Ethos Public Relations Manchester

Revised planning regulations are not working

by Ethos public relations

Government planning regulations designed to cut red tape and save the public up to ?50m in planning application fees are having the opposite effect - according to national loft builder Econoloft.

"The new 'permitted development' rules should have made home improvement much easier for thousands of families when they were introduced last year," said Derek Livesey from Econoloft. "Instead, a lack of clarity in the rules means we and our clients have to enter into protracted dialogue with local councils for guidance.

"It seems that every council is interpreting the new planning guidance in a different way - and so we never know what is permitted and what is not - as each planning office has a different take on the rules."

This postcode lottery is having an impact on the already beleaguered building trade and adding additional monies to the bill of householders who were led to believe that the new rules would save them money and time.

"Councils in the South seem to be particularly belligerent and are basically putting their own spin on the guidance," said Derek.

Econoloft is not alone in feeling frustrated - only a few months into the new planning legislation and architects, builders and planning consultants were lobbying their national bodies and Government to revisit the new guidance.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: "It is very frustrating for both householders and builders that local authorities are choosing to misinterpret the original aim of the Government?s planning legislation which was meant to make it easier, not harder, for householders wanting to improve their homes.

"The FMB has written to Margaret Beckett MP, Minister for Planning, to ask for her help because clearly local authorities are working against Government policy. What we need is further guidance from the Government to prevent local authorities stopping development taking place and to allow people to be able to improve their homes as the Government always intended."

Econoloft and other builders who work in the loft conversion and home extension industry say they now have to take what previously were regarded as simple home extensions to appeal.

"Given the current housing crisis together with the knock on effect on thousands of jobs in the building industry the Government's lack of clarity and the subsequent individual interpretation of the new rules by local councils is totally unacceptable," added Derek Livesey.

If you are a householder, a loft conversion or home extension company who has experienced problems with the new planning legislation please email planning@ethos-pr.com.

Posted at 5^th June 2009