Revised planning rules mean that various home improvements and small building projects will no longer require a planning application.
A key revision will more than double the size of extensions that can be added to houses, depending on the size of the house and garden.
The changes update and replace the Town and Country Planning (Permitted Development) Order 2012.
Amendments designed to help speed up small building projects and home improvements include:
- Increasing works that can be undertaken in Conservation Areas including replacement windows and – in back gardens – sheds, greenhouses, extensions and air source heat pumps
- New provisions for porches, dormers and chimney pipes
- Providing powers for Local Authorities to install play equipment and public art, and to hold events
The Order also expands permitted development for operations which can be undertaken at the Grandstand/Nobles Park during events.
The Meayll Peninsula and Calf of Man continue to have limited permitted development with strict rules about what can be built or changed without special permission.
Uncontroversial
Permitted development allows small and uncontroversial projects to proceed without planning approval. Projects that aren’t permitted development may need to go through the planning application process and about 90% of these requests are approved.
Minister for the Cabinet Office, David Ashford said: “Permitted Development Orders play a crucial role in supporting the commitments of the Built Environment Reform Programme (BERP), which is a key part of the Island Plan action to build great communities.
“The three amended Orders approved by Tynwald support BERP’s vital objectives for an agile and responsive planning system and policies.
“Allowing certain types of development to proceed without formal planning permission will enable planning authorities to focus their efforts on more significant and complex applications.
“The changes will reduce the burden placed on building owners, encourage investments in, and improvements to properties, and in doing so they will also support the construction industry.”
Between 2020 and 2023 an average of around 1400 applications each year were made under the Town and Country Planning Act each year.
Over 60% of these sought full planning approval for smaller proposals such as applications from householders and included an average of over 70 applications each year for replacing windows to properties in Conservation Areas.
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