Government Business

The current economic climate and slowdown in the housing market have meant that many people are no longer in a position to move and instead are considering how best to make the most of their current home. Changes to the planning rules, which came into effect on 1 October, have now made it easier to extend or convert a loft or basement. Now is a great time to visit a show that offers advice and information on how to make the most of your living space. The Homebuilding & Renovating Shows, on at the Harrogate International Centre from 7 to 9 November and at the Bath & West Showground on 22 and 23 November, offer over 150 specialist exhibitors, free seminars and masterclasses as well as the opportunity to ‘Ask the Experts’.

Building your own
Building your own home has also become a more attractive proposition in the current market as the equity saving involved tends to negate any fall in property prices and plots of land tend to be more freely available as the volume house-builders cut back on their building programmes. In the last housing slowdown, between 1991 and 1992, self-build numbers grew by 14 per cent and some experts believe this could happen in the current slowdown.
    
Interestingly, one in every three new detached homes in the UK is now a self-build home and with a 42 per cent drop in the number of new homes being built by developers to July this year, it is anticipated that one-off self-build homes will constitute almost half of all new single dwellings built in the UK within the next few years. The Homebuilding & Renovating Shows are one of the few places where visitors can learn more about the many different self-build systems on the market and identify the most appropriate method for their needs.

Greener living
Greener, more energy efficient living continues to be a growth area and the shows consider this issue in both the seminars and masterclasses. They also offer a range of exhibitors that showcase some of the latest products on the market that can make a home more environmentally friendly as well as more energy efficient.
    
One of the big draws of the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows is the quality of advice that is available. Visitors are encouraged to bring their plans, outline drawings or just ideas as the many experts at the shows will be able to give useful tips, information and probably some inspiration as well! Michael Holmes, TV presenter and Editor-in-Chief of Move or Improve? and Homebuilding & Renovating magazines, will be heading up the team of experts who specialise in renovating, design, planning, self-building, and greener living.
    
At the show in Harrogate it will also be possible to speak to local authority building control and planning experts on The Planning Portal stand to hear more about the new planning rules and how they will impact on planned building projects. The Planning Portal is offering free 20-minute sessions worth £150.  These can be pre-booked by logging onto www.planningportal.gov.uk/expert.

Seminars & masterclasses
The comprehensive programme of free seminars that run every day of the shows are a real attraction to visitors. ‘How to Successfully Add Space and Value to your Home’ is just one of the subjects covered. Tips on making your home eco friendly, finding and evaluating land, renovation do’s and don’ts and selecting architects are some of the seminars to look out for.
    
The free Masterclasses tend to be more specialist, focusing on specific issues and offering visitors the chance to have a one-to-one discussions with the experts. Topics range from underfloor heating through to smart technology in your home.
    
If you are looking to create your dream home, finding a suitable plot of land or renovation project is often the first hurdle. Plotfinder and Plotsearch both have databases of thousands of plots and projects for sale and will be joined by other land agencies at the show.   

Top tips
Making the most of a home is definitely one of the sensible options this year with a struggling housing market and rising prices to contend with. Extending or remodelling a home can give you the extra space needed but before you start, read some of the show organisers’ top tips. They could save you time and money!

• Permitted development rights have changed. Permitted development rights allow you to add to a building without needing planning permission. Changes from 1 October mean that you may now be able to extend your property further without planning permission even if you have already had an extension or other outbuildings erected in the past. However, other restrictions could apply and in some cases your local authority could have removed your permitted development rights so it’s always worth giving them a call to check. Visit www.planningportal.gov.uk for more information and take advantage of their online volume calculator.
• Know the building regulations - Even if you don’t need planning permission, you may need building regulations approval. These set out minimum requirements for structural integrity, fire safety, energy efficiency, damp proofing, ventilation and other key aspects that ensure a building is safe. If you are converting your loft, moving a bath or WC, installing a green heating system, a flue or altering window openings, you will need to apply for approval.
• You can start within 48 hours of notifying building control - If you are in a hurry to start work, you can commence immediately after giving the local authority building control department 48 hours’ notice together with a plan and the fee. But be careful - the work will be inspected on site for compliance and only use this option if the work is simple and you trust your builder! 
• Have you really thought through your loft conversion? - To comply with Building Regulations to get an extra bedroom in the roof space, the floor may need strengthening and the roof will need at least 150mm of insulation and most likely a 50mm clear air gap. Bringing the loft space up to habitable requirements can lower the potential ceiling height and raise the floor level which reduces the usable space. And don’t forget that accessing a habitable loft conversion requires a permanent staircase and this will need landing space. Make sure you have enough usable space to justify the expense before you start. 
• Know the party wall act - If your extension involves building or digging foundations within 3m of the boundary, party wall or party wall structure, or if you are digging foundations within 6m of a boundary, the work will require you to comply with the Party Wall Act. This is a legal requirement and not a planning or building control matter. You will need to issue a notice to your neighbours and you may need a surveyor to act on your behalf. Download a free information book which includes sample letters from www.communities.gov.uk.
• Beware of removing trees - It is a criminal  offence to cut down a tree that is protected by a Tree Preservation Orders (TPO). Even if an extension doesn’t require planning permission, you cannot alter or even prune a tree that has a TPO on it without permission. All trees within a Conservation Area are protected by legislation.
• Do your homework! Do your research before you start to avoid any horrible surprises. Contact your local planning office or visit the Government website www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingwork.             
  

Learn from other people’s projects and get excellent advice from Homebuilding & Renovating or  Move or Improve?, available from most newsagents. Visit one of the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows that take place across the country – there are now seven of them in key locations throughout the year. Visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk for more information.

The North of England’s Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at the Harrogate International Centre from 7 to 9 November. The South West Homebuilding & Renovating Show is on at the Bath & West Showground on 22 & 23 November. The shows feature over 150 exhibitors and free seminar and masterclass sessions every day of the show. Tickets are £5 in advance or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

For more information
For more information visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call 0871 945 4547.