HOMEOWNERS planning to add space to their property may have less red tape to negotiate after plans to relax regulations covering extensions and loft conversions were announced last year.

A recent announcement from the government confirmed proposals to relax planning rules and allow homeowners to build large extensions and conservatories without planning permission.

David Gordon, area sales manager from Your Move Chris Stonock in Durham, explains what is currently recommended if you are considering an extension.

It isn t necessary to have an application in the system before having discussions with planners they won t charge for preliminary meetings to discuss what you want to do, so take full advantage this, he said.

You can also save yourself time and hassle by making a preliminary online enquiry before submitting your full proposal with detailed drawings. This will allow you to gauge a council s reaction to your proposal before you take it any further.

Planning permission rules are open to interpretation. Unlike building regulations, planning regulations differ from one area of the country to the next, and the scope for inconsistencies between planners even within one authority can be huge.

A well-crafted design brief doused with planning-speak from your architect is worth its weight in gold and will have considerably more impact than your paint-by-numbers version, particularly if you need to explain any design deviations.

Get your neighbours and parish council on your side prior to making your application, and accommodate any specific concerns they have into your design.

It could mean the difference between a delegated approval and a planning committee refusal.

For information or advice on selling or letting your home, contact David Gordon and his experienced team on 0191 3862070 or e-mail durham@yourmove.

co.uk.