The Government has been consulting on controversial new plans to extend permitted development rights to allow the construction of extensions of up to eight metres for detached houses and six metres for other houses to be built without planning permission.
Ministers believe this extension of permitted development rights will help the construction industry. However, the Local Government Association (LGA) has urged MPs to give individual councils the power to opt-out of the rules, as the plan could "open the floodgates" to thousands of "unsightly and unsuitable" extensions.
Last month, the House of Lords voted through an amendment on a separate proposed piece of legislation - the Growth and Infrastructure Bill - which would allow local authorities to be given the option of rejecting the planning rules for extensions if they are adopted on a national level. This opt-out will be debated by MPs, with some parts of the coalition expected to rebel and vote in favour of it.
Councillor Mike Jones, Chairman of the LGAs environmental and housing board, said, "Imposing a home extensions free-for-all on the whole country risks opening the floodgates to thousands of unsightly and unsuitable extensions which create disputes between neighbours, impinge on garden space and increase flood risk."
It would appear that Conservative MP Zac Goldsmith is opposed to the plan. He said, "It will guarantee disputes between neighbours. I don't think anyone doubts that. It will be very unpopular and there is no evidence, as far as I can see, that it is going to solve any problems at all. It seems like very bad, clumsy politics."
Although the Coalition still insists the plans to allow the extensions will create jobs and kick-start local economies.
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