Commitment To Clobber Committees

Labour is still looking to streamline planning decisions for smaller home improvements, including loft conversions and extensions, by removing the need for committee approval.

While some extensions do not require planning permission due to Permitted Development, those that do often require lengthy processes.

Velux, the roof window company, told Fabrication & Glazing Eye: Simplifying and accelerating the approval process can give homeowners greater confidence to invest in improving their homes as their needs evolve. By reducing delays and increasing predictability, these changes have the potential to unlock more projects that improve living space, comfort and energy efficiency.

Addressing housing needs

At Velux, we believe that enabling people to make better use of existing homes is an important step towards addressing housing needs in a sustainable way. Lofts represent a significant, often underutilised resource that can be transformed into healthy, daylight-filled living spaces.

We therefore support measures that make it easier to bring forward such improvements, while ensuring that quality, safety and design standards are maintained.

Waiting for proposals

Alex O’dell, the managing director for Velux GB & Ireland contacted Fabrication & Glazing Eye to add: “Loft conversions and extensions within existing homes are often allowed under permitted development, yet the rules can still be quite limiting. Enabling families to easily expand their homes to meet changing circumstances is something that should be welcomed, and we look forward to seeing the details of the government’s proposals.”

About the Velux Group

Velux offers a range of products including roof windows and modular skylights, decorative blinds, sun screening products and roller shutters, that help create bright, healthy and energy-efficient places for people to live, work, learn and play under the roof.

The company has an installer partner programme and offers comprehensive training.

The company has sales and manufacturing operations in 37 countries, around 11,500 employees worldwide and in 2025, the Velux Group had a total revenue of €2.97 billion.

Picture: Velux has welcomed the government’s commitment to streamlining planning consents to get more loft conversions and larger extension built sooner.

www.velux.com