cashinmattress Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Proposed regulations to make extensions and conservatories more expensive in UK New regulations being proposed by the UK government could end up putting property owners off building extensions and improving their homes with conservatories, it is claimed.The building industry says that proposals in the draft consultation for the 2010 version of Part L of the Building Regulations will make extensions and conservatories more expensive for the consumer and deal a blow to the industry as a time when it needs a boost. Property owners who build extensions could be forced to spend thousands of pounds improving the energy efficiency of the rest of their property under the proposals. Industry commentators reckon the extra cost is likely to be 10%. They also cover conservatories for the first time and that means higher carbon reduction targets which would impose electric heating restrictions as well as floor, wall and glass restrictions to make the conservatory more energy efficient. Brian Berry, external affairs director of the Federation of Master Builders, said it was likely to reduce demand at the worst point of the economic cycle. 'Right now the industry needs a kickstart, not a kicking,' he said According to Stephen Giles, managing directory of Conservatory Quote Online.com, property owners will be expected to pay thousands of pounds extra for their conservatories which will impact heavily on the conservatory supply and installation industry. 'Most conservatory buyers at present secure some form of finance for these types of home extensions. Also the fact that we are in a recession and most people have already had to tighten their budgets the only logical conclusion is that by adding further cost the conservatory market will suffer putting a strain on suppliers and the building industry,' he said. Well well well. Bulls listen up! You ain't selling up, 'cause your equity is gone. You ain't chavving it out with gawdy extensions or conservatories because its going to cost you much, much more. This comes to mind: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkman Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 It's kind of funny, I have to admit. Reminds of the term "a perfect storm". While the economic mess is taking hold, green legislation is making things even worse haha. On the other hand, while I don't sympathise with "property investors", it's galling just how many restrictions there are in this country. Am I the only one who finds it stifling? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyMe Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) Looks like the aim is to destroy the construction and create another million plus unemployed / underemployed. I think for once this policy will be a massive success, maybe beyond expectations. We should build houses with 6 ft wide hallways and no rooms, we could become world leaders in that. Oh, we already do, they are called studio flats. Edited May 26, 2009 by OnlyMe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Concrete Jungle Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) That is only the start! The Homes and Communities Agency are pushing for legislation that requires people converting their front garden into off road parking to be forced to submit and pay for planning application. The only way of circumnavigating the planning requirement will be to use more expensive SUDS approved construction, which will be inspected once the work has been finished. Expect hefty fines and to be browbeaten by your local authority for non compliance. If the barmpots decide to extend this legislation to cover putting in a patio, or paving your back garden remains to be seen. Edited May 26, 2009 by Concrete Jungle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abstra Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 How to they imagine they are going to Police this on this countries council estates. This is middle class regulation again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aa3 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Green legislation is absolute death for jobs. Spain in Europe has gone the farthest with it, and California in America. And look how their economies are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomer! Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Another pointless rule. Just people inventing rules to keep their jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interestrateripoff Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 The govts job is to create new legislation, that's the whole point of govt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash2006 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Nce didnt brown say he'll relax the regulations for extension etc.. what they do they take later on. The government is relaxing planning permission rules for homeowners looking to extend up and out. Under the changes, people planning to extend for the first time will be able to do so without needing to pay to up to £1,000 to be granted specific planning permission. As a result, some 80,000 of all householder applications will be removed from the planning system each year. However, larger extension will still need permission. Housing minister Caroline Flint said: "Today I am scrapping the red tape so it is much easier to convert the loft into that extra bedroom and build on an extension. "Often people grow out of the family home, but now those who don't really want to move will find it easier to improve instead." The new rules also affect parking areas – in an attempt to reduce flood risks. New driveways or parking areas over five square metres will not require planning permission if they are constructed using surfaces that allow the water to soak through the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xux42 Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Another pointless rule.Just people inventing rules to keep their jobs. This is just stupid and counter-productive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PricedOutNative Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Shut up with your complaining, the Brits aren’t the least bit bothered about more and more legislation, I’m sure they’d not be concerned if the government proposed fitting video surveillance cameras in all homes with children or taxing people for how much human waste they produced… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Way Down Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 That is only the start! The Homes and Communities Agency are pushing for legislation that requires people converting their front garden into off road parking to be forced to submit and pay for planning application. The only way of circumnavigating the planning requirement will be to use more expensive SUDS approved construction, which will be inspected once the work has been finished. Expect hefty fines and to be browbeaten by your local authority for non compliance. If the barmpots decide to extend this legislation to cover putting in a patio, or paving your back garden remains to be seen. I don't have a problem with controlling the conversion of gardens into parking areas. Why shouldn't it require planning consent? Apart from the aesthetics, uncontrolled surface water run-off causes a big problem whenever there is heavy rain - watercourses cannot cope with the huge volume of water, which can lead to localised flooding. Surely it is better to use materials such as gravel or SUDS blocks to avoid run-off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andykn Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 So the opinion on here is that the best way out of recession is to encourage more flooding and waste energy we have to import. Where did you lot get your MBAs from? You make our bankers look like far sighted economic gurus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 What are the new regs? If they actually only mean do your cavity wall & loft insulation then why would that be a problem? If it means installing a heat exchange air system then that might be a bit dear ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlyMe Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 So the opinion on here is that the best way out of recession is to encourage more flooding and waste energy we have to import.Where did you lot get your MBAs from? You make our bankers look like far sighted economic gurus. Sticking any sort of conservatory on the side of the house (as long as you don't artificially heat it or have the conservatory entrance wide open to the house internals) will improve energy efficiency as you have just added a few feet of insulating air. Main problem with flooding is building on flood plains. But, the real reason for more laws is to increase the tax take. Zero rate all energy saving measures rather than come up with bull like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadoube Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 It's kind of funny, I have to admit. Reminds of the term "a perfect storm". While the economic mess is taking hold, green legislation is making things even worse haha. On the other hand, while I don't sympathise with "property investors", it's galling just how many restrictions there are in this country. Am I the only one who finds it stifling? A regulation is either good or bad on its own merits. The fact that it makes it harder for people to sell conservatories on credit should not make a difference. I quite like the fact there are restrictions on a lot of things. For example to stop people building shoddy extensions that last 5 years before needing rebuilding. To stop people tipping rubbish in public places and inconveniencing others. To stop people earning bonus by selling mortgages to folk who can never afford to pay them back.... Oh well it would seem there needs to be a few more restrictions to make the country a better place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) That is only the start! The Homes and Communities Agency are pushing for legislation that requires people converting their front garden into off road parking to be forced to submit and pay for planning application. The only way of circumnavigating the planning requirement will be to use more expensive SUDS approved construction, which will be inspected once the work has been finished. Expect hefty fines and to be browbeaten by your local authority for non compliance. If the barmpots decide to extend this legislation to cover putting in a patio, or paving your back garden remains to be seen. Well, people who pave their front garden over not only cause problems with drainage, but also, they steal at least one communal parking place because the 'drive' has to be kept clear and the only people who can park in the road in front of it, are they. So, it's quite a good thing to curb this theft of public spaces, but of course as always, the stupid stuff will be smuggled in along with the sensible. Edited May 27, 2009 by Cinnamon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SarahBell Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 ON a brighter note it covers rennovations - so all those property ladder types will have more work to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsos Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 On a super bright note, if it does cover renovations (though how on earth this will be policed is beyond me) this probably means the death knell for about half the property porn on telly - if the renovations have been splashed all over the small screen it is very difficult to claim to the buildings inspector that it was like that when you bought it (and we've lost the survey, before you ask..........) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R K Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Improve the energy efficiency of conservatories? Have I woken up in a parallel universe? Whatever next - The Orangery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchbux Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Well, people who pave their front garden over not only cause problems with drainage, but also, they steal at least one communal parking place because the 'drive' has to be kept clear and the only people who can park in the road in front of it, are they.So, it's quite a good thing to curb this theft of public spaces, but of course as always, the stupid stuff will be smuggled in along with the sensible. Surely that depends on the orientation of the parking and the number of vehicles. We wanted to pave our front garden, the proposed dropped kerb area was one car length, but it enabled two cars to be off the road. We didn't bother in the end, the local council wanted us to apply for planning permission, and insisted that the dropped curb would have to be done by council contractors at an additional cost of £1200. By the time we'd paid a contractor it wasn't worth the outlay just to save £20 a year in car insurance and it be easier to park outside the house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andykn Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 Sticking any sort of conservatory on the side of the house (as long as you don't artificially heat it or have the conservatory entrance wide open to the house internals) will improve energy efficiency as you have just added a few feet of insulating air.Main problem with flooding is building on flood plains. But, the real reason for more laws is to increase the tax take. Zero rate all energy saving measures rather than come up with bull like this. And where is the "tax take" in lowering energy bills (and the corresponding VAT receipts)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest X-QUORK Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 If the barmpots decide to extend this legislation to cover putting in a patio, or paving your back garden remains to be seen. Are you aware of the problem with rainwater run-off causing flash flooding? Largely to do with the increase in patios, drives, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsos Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 From a quick squint round the interweb it appears that this is typical Uk gold plated response to EU regulations. I can feel an e-mail to the Daily Mail and Sun coming on................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsos Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 And where is the "tax take" in lowering energy bills (and the corresponding VAT receipts)? The tax take is the VAT on the huge up-front cost of having the work done then paying for the building to be tested, slowly recouped over 35 years by the 2% improvelment in the building's energy efficiency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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