Take a break, planning officers

Can actually see this having an adverse effect and certainly make the Neighbour Disputes section of the Councils a lot busier

Wonder if it will work as the Government think it will - my 2 pennies - not a chance!

Will relaxing the planning laws make a free for all in deciding what to add to their homes. Only last night I was visiting a friend and one of the houses opposite is having an extension (with planning permission) and planners have not taken the area into account with the application. This is a row on 1950's style semi's and this extension comes about 10ft out in front of the house line.
It is also 3 storey why the houses are all 2 storey.
When monstrosities like this can pass planning what have we to look forward to with no planning required.

You can just imagine the chat before a Cabinet meeting, can't you?

Dave: "Just when are you going to get the economy sorted, George?"

George: "2020 sound OK? No? Well, we want to keep our jobs after 2015, we need a cunning plan to distract the punters. You're the PR whizz kid so get cracking ... but it can't cost us any money cos the deficit's growing too fast as it is".

Dave: sighs, stirs coffee, sighs again.

Lightbulb moment.

Dave: "For instant strop you can't beat extending your home. We'll relax planning permission, won't cost a penny."

George: "Brilliant - but don't you dare extend no 10".

I think the policy is short sighted and barmy.

Agreed the planning laws can be tedious at times (having been through the pain in recent years) but do I want my neighbours putting up some obscene size extension, just because they can?

No idea which think tank this idea came out of, but I think they need to make future sessions teetotal