CONTROVERSIAL plans to relax the rules so homeowners can build bigger extensions without the need for planning permission are being opposed by West Devon Borough Council.

The local authority is also writing to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles about its concerns regarding changes which could affect the number of affordable homes developers have to include when they build new communities. 

Cllr Alison Clish-Green, who put forward the motion, told councillors: 'Thousands of home extensions, which were previously blocked because they were unsightly, out of character with a local area or invaded neighbours' privacy, may now go ahead unimpeded under these proposed plans to extend permitted development rights.

'This proposal could result in inappropriate developments and contribute to issues like the loss of garden space, flood risk and ecological damage.

'This flies in the face of localism, taking decision-making away from the local authority.

'We believe that local people, through their democratically elected local authorities, are the most suitable judge of what development is acceptable in an area and the suitable level of contributions that developers need to make.'

West Devon councillors welcomed other parts of the Government's National Planning Policy Framework, including plans for £300-million to provide 15,000 affordable homes across the country and an extension of the refurbishment programme to bring an extra 5,000 empty homes back into use.