SUCCESS - FMB Forces Government U-Turn On Loft Conversions
 Thousands of homeowners who might not have been able to have a loft conversion under the Planning White Paper, published in May 2007, will now be able to do so under revised proposals in the new Planning Reform Bill. The Government has at last listened to the FMB, with whom it has been working behind the scenes, and accepted the arguments of its campaign not to make it harder for homeowners wanting a loft conversion.
Click here for the full press release.
September '07 - Government Now Listening to FMB about Loft Conversions
The FMB has had its third meeting with officials within the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) on its proposed changes to permitted developments for householders. FMB has led an active campaign attracting national media coverage and backing from politicians to stop current planning proposals for roof extensions which would make it harder, not easier, for householders wanting a loft conversion. The Government is now working constructively with the FMB to rethink its original proposals and further meetings are planned for later in the year.
August '07 FMB Presents its Policy Recommendations to Government
FMB has developed its response on alternative proposals for roof extensions to the Government's consultation on 'Changes to Permitted Development – Consultation Paper 2: Permitted Development Rights for Householders'. At a private meeting with the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) on 14 August, the FMB presented its paper which recommends a system combining a volume based assessment similar to the existing Act together with dimensions formulated to address impact. FMB is encouraged by the positive response from the CLG and looks forward to having an on-going dialogue with officials.
In the meantime, members should keep the pressure up by contacting their local MP and by signing our on-line petition. You could also download the FMB's Policy Recommendations to Government (pdf 472kb) and send it to your MP - see the links to the right.
July '07 - Construction Centre Endorses FMB Campaign
The Construction Centre, the number one organisation for delivering results on products and people, is supporting the FMB's 'Save Our Lofts' campaign and has issued a press release to endorse the FMB's call to change the Planning White Paper affecting loft conversions. Click here for more information.
June '07 - Government Calls in FMB to Discuss the Threat to Loft Conversions
At the request of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG), the FMB met with officials on 22 June 2007 to discuss the proposed changes to permitted development for roof extensions as outlined in the Planning White Paper, issued in May 2007. CLG was extremely responsive to FMB concerns that the proposals were unacceptable and admitted that they had not been fully aware of the implications that the White Paper would have on roof extensions. Photographs and sketches were used to illustrate why the proposed changes were unacceptable and it was suggested that the FMB, together with its members, draft an alternative set of proposals which could be discussed at a further meeting with the CLG in July. FMB is currently working on this initiative.
Background
Not
satisfied with HIPs, VAT and stamp duty, the Government looks set to step up
its financial and bureaucratic assault on home owners by forcing them
unnecessarily through the nightmarish planning process and charging them for
the privilege. In a classic piece of media spin, the Government announced
publicly that it was intending to free up the planning system and then
published proposals that will do the complete opposite by removing the
permitted development rights from over 95% of householders wanting loft
conversions.
The main effects of the Government's proposals are:
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Householders will lose permitted development rights to build a loft conversion
which have been in place since 1948.
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Many Local Authorities are hostile towards planning applications for loft
conversions and therefore it is very likely that many applications will be
refused.
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Householders will still have the right to appeal to the Secretary of State but
this offers an extremely low success rate and delays a project by between 6-9
months and cost £1,000 or more.
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The increase in the number of planning applications will cause the planning
process to grind to a halt. Consultation Paper 2 states that "The revised
system would deliver a more permissive regime than exists at present and remove
the need for planning permission in many case" The truth is that the
proposals being put forward will have the reverse effect !
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Householders with growing families will not be able to enlarge their property
and will be forced to move. The cost of moving when added to stamp duty and the
other associated fees could amount to three times the cost of the average loft
conversion.
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An entire industry will be effectively wiped out over night, causing
unemployment and a knock on effect which will be felt across the whole industry
and wider economy.
The FMB is fighting hard to stop these proposals, but we cannot do it alone. We
need your help to make the Government see sense, and it will take home owners
and industry together to force the Government to listen.
For more information contact either:
Brian Berry FMB Director of External Affairs at
brianberry@fmb.org.uk or
Peter O'Connell, FMB Policy Manager at peteroconnell@fmb.org.uk
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