New development rules which will cut the red tape for home improvements, reduce flood risks from surface water run-off and combat the effects of climate change have been introduced by the Department for Communities and Local Government. New planning regulations laid in Parliament yesterday will mean that from October the majority of homeowners will no longer need to get planning permission when extending their existing homes.

The changes will allow people to build both up and out for the first time without needing to pay to up to £1000 to be granted specific planning permission. As a result, a quarter of all householder applications (80,000) will be removed from the planning system each year, potentially saving the nation up to £50m.

The regulations will also reduce the flood risks caused by surface water run off. 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. Two thirds of the homes affected by the floods last year (about 55,000) were due to surface water run-off causing £3bn of damage.

By giving only permeable surfacing automatic permission homeowners will be encouraged to consider the impact of their surface water drainage much more carefully and to ensure the effects of that run off reduces the likelihood of neighbourhood flooding. Surface water can be drained using permeable surfaces such as concrete block paving with gaps, porous asphalt or gravel, wheel track only paving or through installation of 'soak-away' systems.