In an effort to make it easier for people to make changes to their homes, new rules will come into force in February 2012.

Following a consultation earlier this year, the rules will allow a range of works within certain certain limits - including extensions, access ramps, sheds, garages and decking - to be built without applying for planning permission.

Certain restrictions will still apply for conservation areas and listed buildings.

Currently, planning fees for householder development are £160.

Just over 40% of all applications are for planning permission on existing homes and these changes aim to remove around a fifth of those, around 4,000 a year, from the planning system.

Planning Minister Aileen Campbell will announce the regulations in Parliament confirming the changes.

Minister Aileen Campbell said: "We are removing, in certain cases, the need for householders to get planning permission. That frees people up to go ahead and make improvements to their homes and saves them money, while creating jobs for building companies and tradespeople, continuing our efforts to make planning an aid to increasing sustainable economic growth. It will also enable planning authorities to focus their attention on processing applications for larger developments.

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"These changes, introduced following thorough consultation, strike the right balance between cutting red tape to help householders and safeguarding the amenity of an area. They also complement the work we have already undertaken to make it easier for householders to install small scale renewables technologies."

Convenor of the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, David Suttie, welcomed the new regulations.

In a statement he said that the new rules were a key part of the drive to modernise the planning system.

He added: "(They) will enable planning authorities to focus their work and resources on those areas of work which will have most impact in delivering sustainable development, economic growth and great places for people. This should help to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system."

Chairman of the Heads of Planning Scotland Development Management Sub Committee, Chris Norman, commented on the collaboration between Planning Scotland and the Scottish Government in the preparation of these new regulations.

Mr Norman explained: "They strike a balance between the need to protect the privacy of neighbours and the appearance of Scotland's housing stock, while giving greater opportunity for householders to carry out small scale works to their home without the need for planning permission."

According to director of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in Scotland, Grahame Barn, FMB Scotland builders welcome the chance to be consulted on these important changes and the potential benefits of doing so will be clear.

Mr Barn commented: "Small and medium sized building firms such as the FMB's members carry out the majority of domestic renovation and improvement jobs in Scotland so this legislation should help to make life a little easier for businesses that have been hard-pressed by the downturn.

"They should entail a streamlined planning process for small building companies and their domestic clients alike, leaving local authority planners throughout Scotland free to focus their energies on more complex developments. The ideal result will be improved business conditions for SME builders as the private sector market for home improvements like extensions and low carbon improvements regains its strength."

(JG/BMcC)