Planners get more relaxed about what you're doing to your home

Tuesday 27 December 2016

If you want to keep an extra eye on what's going on at home or watch more TV this year you don't need to wait for permission.

Planners have relaxed the laws for everyone who lives in a non-listed building so you can put up CCTV cameras and replace your guttering when you want to.

The Environment Minister has reviewed the law for permitted development and following public consultation, has agreed that from now on, you don’t need planning permission for the following: 

• To replace a conservatory roof on houses and flats in any material or installing retractable awnings at ground floor level

• Installing security cameras on buildings, on condition that the field of vision doesn’t extend beyond the boundaries of the land where it’s sited

• Retractable awnings at ground floor level in day care and school buildings for children’s sun protection

• Replacing all gutters, drains and other rainwater goods, verges or fascia boards

• Installation of electricity meter boxes

• Satellite dishes to the rear up to 1.2m diameter 

• Improve, resurface or maintain private ways

You will need planning permission though if you want to build a stable because Deputy Steve Luce is worried about the loss of good quality farming land. However any temporary open-sided field shelters fore livestock won't need permission.

A further set of changes about listed buildings is still under consideration and changes will be proposed this year.

Planners say all these changes only apply to planning consent and you'll still need to consider getting building bye-law permission.