Scotland: planning rules eased for home improvements

Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government

New rules have come into force to make it easier for Scottish people to make changes to their homes.

The rules allow a range of works – within certain constraints – to be built without applying for planning permission.

This concerns home extensions, access ramps, sheds, garages and decking. Restrictions will still apply for conservation areas and listed buildings.

Until now, householders paid £160 in planning fees for developments. The Scottish Government reveals that just over 40 per cent of all applications are for planning permission on existing homes.

The changes aim to remove up to a fifth of those - around 4,000 a year - from the planning system. The changes affect any projects which go on site from today.

Scottish planning minister Derek Mackay said: “These changes allow people to improve their homes more easily and save them money, while creating jobs for building companies and trades people.

“Planning has an important role to play in increasing sustainable economic growth, and these changes, removing in certain cases the need for householders to get planning permission, are a good example of this. They will also enable planning authorities to focus their attention on processing applications for larger developments."

Chris Norman, Chairman of the Heads of Planning Scotland Development Management Sub Committee, said: “Heads of Planning Scotland and the Scottish Government have worked closely together to prepare these new regulations.

“They strike a balance between the need to protect the appearance of Scotland's housing stock and the privacy of neighbours, while giving greater opportunity for householders to carry out small scale works to their home without the need for planning permission."