New rules come in to force today to make it easier for people to make changes to their homes.

The rules allow a range of works within certain constraints – 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.

The regulations were laid in Parliament last October following a consultation, and will affect projects which go on site from today.

Until now, householders paid £160 in planning fees for developments. Just over 40 per cent of all applications are for planning permission on existing homes and these changes aim to remove up to a fifth of those, around 4,000 a year, from the planning system.

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Planning Minister Derek Mackay said: "These changes allow people to improve their homes more easily and save them money, while creating jobs for building companies and trades people.

"Planning has an important role to play in increasing sustainable economic growth, and these changes, removing in certain cases the need for householders to get planning permission, are a good example of this. They will also enable planning authorities to focus their attention on processing applications for larger developments.

"We consulted extensively before introducing these changes and I am confident they strike the right balance between cutting red tape to help householders and protecting privacy and the appearance of Scotland’s buildings. They also complement the work we have already undertaken to make it easier for householders to install small scale renewables technologies."

(CD/DW)