Thousands of homeowners who might not have been able to have a loft conversion under the Planning White Paper, published in May 2007, will now be able to do so under revised proposals in the new Planning Reform Bill announced today.

The government has accepted the arguments from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) not to make it harder for homeowners wanting a loft conversion.

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says: "The FMB 'Save Our Lofts' campaign, which championed the rights of homeowners wanting a loft conversion, has been a victory for every homeowner thinking about having a loft conversion. We are delighted the government has listened to the FMB and seen sense."

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Berry explained: "When the government announced the publication of its Planning White Paper, it announced publicly that it was intending to free up the planning system for householders wanting to carry out home improvements by increasing the scope of permitted development. But for loft conversions the proposals would have meant exactly the opposite, forcing nearly all householders to obtain planning permission which can take several months, involve considerable cost, and with no certainty that the application will be approved."

The Planning Reform Bill will allow householders to have a loft conversion under permitted development rules, provided it does not exceed 40 cubic metre square, in a terraced house or 50 cubic metre square in a semi detached house. Its requirement that the loft conversion must be 0.2 metre above the eaves means that the worst design excesses of the past will be avoided without compromising homeowners' desire to create more space in their homes.

(GK/KMcA)