I don't understand what the relaxation of planning laws actually mean and google isn't helping. Can anyone provide an idiot's guide?

[ErmahgerdPerngwens]

I've found some news articles saying you won't need planning for extensions less than 8m but I can't find any details anywhere of whether this includes side/rear/ distance from neighbours/ single storey/ two storey.

The planning portal still seems to have the old rules in it's detailed guide. I can find lots of news articles but none seem to have any level of detail.

Anyone know what it all means?

Try looking for "permitted development" here is the planning portal page. Sorry can come back later but might help in the meantime.

Are you planning an extension?

It's far more complicated than the media makes out. It's a consultation on a 3yr relaxation of some of the planning rules Inc. Those regarding permitted development. Basically it says where you can currently build up to 3m without PP you will be able to build up to 6m (8m detached properties) BUT these are maximum figures and will still be subject to other rules such as facing distances, not taking up more than 50% of garden, heights adjacent to boundaries, materials etc. There is no change to properties that don't have permitted development. There isn't much detail at the moment as it's still out for consultation and there is no timetable for implementation. Most people in the industry believe it will make very little difference to the existing situation and is basically govt hot air, detracting from the real issues with the system & industry.

"...is basically govt hot air, detracting from the real issues with the system & industry..."

Couldn't agree more.

Ah, I thought it might just be me being a bit thick not being able to find the details, I've been on holiday and internetless for a while and struggling to catch up.

I am (hopefully) planning an extension, was hoping this might make it easier or even mean we could have the second storey, which is currently looking unlikely.

Do you think that planning permission would not be granted then? or is it that you think it would be too expensive (to get the additional planning permission)

We have to do a side extension due to our house/garden layout, one storey would be fine and, if it were possible to build at the back, we could get planning for 2 storey there. When our local planning chap came round he said we'd be unlikely to get two storeys at the side due to rules about terracing. Our house is at an angle to next door and the narrowest gap (post theoretical extension) would still be over a meter, but from certain angles the houses would look joined. Frustratingly several other houses locally have exactly what we'd like, but they were extended before the current rules came in.

Annoyingly, we would also be much further away from next door if they hadn't been able to build an extension which made planning guy go "oh, they wouldn't be able to have that now"...

That sounds like a very frustrating situation. I don't know enough about the proposed rule changes but hopefully it may change in your favour this time.

Fingers crossed