Planning tips from National Homebuilding Show

The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show team offer advice on planning issues.

The team will be on hand to offer a wide range of planning advice at the NEC, Birmingham on the 18-21 March, where local authority planning experts, architects and designers will be giving one to one consultations.

The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show's planning expert, Sally Tagg, will be presenting sessions entitled 'Planning permission: a beginner's guide' and 'How to extend or improve your home without having to apply for planning' in the in-depth seminar programme.

Visitors are invited to bring plans, drawings or just ideas to the Independent Advice Areas, Ask the Experts or Ask the Architects to get some advice and information.

Visitors can also attend the free seminars and masterclasses on planning.

At the Planning Portal stand, free 20 minute sessions worth GBP150 are available online.

Here is some advice to get you started before the event at The NEC.

1 Permission First, Building Second: Find out what permission is needed and make that your priority.

For self-builders, having the necessary permissions in place is key as it unlocks the value of the land.

2 Know the Building Regulations: Even if you don't need planning permission, building regulations approval is usually necessary.

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.

3 Know When to Employ a Professional: Successful building is getting the right balance between using the professionals and doing it yourself so that you keep control and understand what's happening.

4 Design to Suit the House or Plot: It's a bad idea to set your heart on a particular size, style or design of house or extension.

If you're building a house from scratch, suitable land is so scarce that you will almost always have to design a house to suit the constraints and opportunities of the plot.

5 Know the Rules of the Game: Small scale planning decisions for individual houses or extensions are based mainly on policies that are contained in local Development Plan documents.

6 Love Thy Neighbour: Whatever the size of your building project, keep the neighbours informed.

Neighbour objections can cause you a real headache.

7 Know the Party Wall Act: If you're extending, conforming to the Party Wall Act is a legal requirement and not a planning or building control matter.

8 Beware of Removing Trees: It is a criminal offence to cut down a tree which is protected by a Tree Preservation Orders (TPO).

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.

9 Do Your Homework! Do your research before you start to avoid any horrible surprises.

The National Homebuilding and Renovating Show takes place at The National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham from 18-21 March.

The Show features more than 450 exhibitors, 112 free seminars and masterclasses, the Eco Home Show, Independent Advice Areas and the chance to Ask the Experts.

Opening Times are Thursday 18- Sunday 21 March 2010 10.00am-5.00pm daily.

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