Review urges 'bureaucracy cull'

Self builders could be glad to hear of a new report that is urging for a cutting of red tape in the planning process.

The Killian Pretty review - led by Joanna Killian and David Pretty - is calling for small alterations and extensions to be removed from the planning system, or making it subject to a speedier process, according to Communities and Local Government.

It is claimed that the planning system is "dominated" by minor developments, particularly non-residential commercial planning applications.

David Pretty, former group chief executive of Barratt Developments, believes the planning application process is "too slow and bogged down in unnecessary red tape".

This has led to decisions on self builds or simple extensions taking "too long".

Andrew Leech, director of the National Home Improvement Council, has claimed that adding an extension to an existing home is a good way of creating extra space for your family without having to move.