New rules to 'help home improvements'

The government has announced plans that will enable people to extend their homes without the need for planning permission, according to reports.

New development rules aimed at cutting the amount of red tape for home improvements have been introduced today by housing and planning minister Caroline Flint.

From October the majority of homeowners will no longer need to obtain planning permission when they are planning to build an extension or convert their loft.

According to the government, the changes mean that people will not have to pay out up to £1,000 to be granted specific planning permission, which could save the nation up to £50 million.

Ms Flint said that scrapping the red tape will make it "much easier to convert the loft into that extra bedroom and build on an extension".

The minister added that the new rules could remove around 80,000 applications a year - approximately a quarter of all applications - which will make "home improvement an increasingly attractive option".

According to fool.co.uk, a loft or basement conversion can add over £13,000 to the value of a home.