From September 2020, Parliament updated legislation for home extensions. They introduced new laws for extending homes and commercial units. They’ve done this to help meet the growing demand for new housing. It will also help to revitalise town centres across England.

Homeowners will now be able to to extend their properties by an additional two storeys on a two or more storey home. And for a one storey home, by one additional storey. These home extensions will be done via a fast track approval process. People will still be required to carefully consider the impact on neighbours and the appearance of the extension. This means the local authorities will still need to consult neighbours about the plans. However their powers to object and block extensions will be reduced. These new laws and the flexibility around home extensions will help families create more living space. It will also give the opportunity to create new homes.

The right will initially only be available for purpose-built blocks of flats. In time it will be rolled out to all detached properties.

It now means that full planning applications will not be necessary for demolishing unused buildings and re-building them as homes. It will also mean that commercial properties will be able to be quickly renovated. A vast improvement on the longer process that was previously in place. Likewise, unused commercial units will be able to be repurposed more quickly. These measures will all help to revitalise high streets and town centres.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: ‘We are reforming the planning system and cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy to give small business owners the freedom they need to adapt and evolve, and to renew our town centres with new enterprises and more housing.’

‘These changes will help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities. It will mean that families can add up to 2 storeys to their home, providing much needed additional space for children or elderly relatives as their household grows,’ he added.