Homeowners are in a muddle over what they can or cannot do to their properties following the introduction of new laws.

Legislation which came into force in October was supposed to make it easier for people to extend their homes and avoid the need for planning applications.

However, Brighton and Hove City Council and building companies cannot agree on the interpretation of changes to “permitted development” legislation.

One clause particularly causing problems states loft conversions must be of “similar appearance” to a property’s original materials.

Builders believe they should be allowed to use felt on new roofs but say the council is taking the meaning of the clause literally and will not allow this, unless a property’s current roof has felt on it.

John Trimm and Steve Johnson, who own loft conversion companies, said work was taking place across the city which may not comply with legislation when it is decided.

Mr Johnson said: “This is persecuting the homeowner when it was supposed to help. People often extend, as to move from a threebedroomed house to a fourbedroomed one would probably be about £75,000, whereas a conversion is about £30,000.”

Mr Trimm said: “I can’t say to the homeowner ‘take a risk’. It is ridiculous.

I have found 32 other authorities who are accepting the legislation in the spirit it was intended.”

Brighton and Hove City Council is seeking clarification from the Government. Meanwhile it is working with East and West Sussex county councils to agree a joint interpretation.

City council planning chairwoman Lynda Hyde said: “At a time when careful spending is such an issue, few can afford the unnecessary time and costs associated with this confusion.”

Brian Berry, from the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Many local authorities do not favour loft conversions so are trying to find ways to stop them. Anyone thinking of extending should think again because Brighton council is choosing to interpret it in a different way to how it was intended.”

Tape-cutting Changes to permitted development came into force on October 1.

The Government introduced them to give more freedom to people to extend their homes, including building extensions and loft conversions.

It means that in certain circumstances homeowners can carry out minor extensions and alterations without any need for formal permission.

The changes came about following a public consultation last year which looked at ways to reduce bureaucracy for householders and free time for planning departments by reducing the number of householder applications coming through the system.

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