The UK Government is to relax planning constraints in England for a measured period of time in an effort to boost the economy, moving it out of recession. The decision will affect extensions on houses (up to 8m on detached homes and 6m on others) shops, offices and affordable homes, enabling alterations to be made without planning permission.

The Local Government Association has spoken out against the decision, stating that it is unlikely to have a positive effect on the economy. It has released a statement noting that there are 400,000 new homes in the UK which have received planning permission but have not yet been completed, with building yet to start on more than half of approved plots.

Director of planning consultants Parker Dann, Chris Wojtulewski commented: “The free-for-all on conservatories and bigger extensions may go down well with voters in the Tory heartlands, but it’s by no means a game changer. More controversial, but potentially much more effective, are the measures to get the diggers rolling on developments that are currently stalled. Everyone agrees on the need to build more homes but building more homes at the expense of social housing schemes will come at a political cost for the government.”