THE wisdom of making it easier to add to our homes has been questioned by people and politicians in Hillingdon.

As part of a year-long amnesty, homeowners will be allowed to extend their properties with a one-storey rear extension of up to eight metres without needing to secure planning permission beforehand, which is an increase from the current ‘permitted development’ limit of three metres for a terraced or semi-detached house and four metres for a detached house.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced the change on Thursday last week as part of a package of measures he said would get the planning system ‘off people’s backs’ and help to revive the economy by keeping builders and suppliers busy.

But Hillingdon’s inhabitants have raised fears that the plans will have a negative effect on the Green Belt and will worsen problems such as ‘garden grabbing’ – in which the land around existing homes is exploited for development – and ‘beds in sheds’, when outbuildings are illegally converted into makeshift properties.

Tony Ellis, of Northwood Residents’ Association, said the system already worked perfectly well in Hillingdon, with only the most ‘monstrous’ extensions being refused.

“The changes will most surely cause disputes between neighbours and ruin neighbourhoods,” he added.

Andrew Riley, of Northwood Hills Residents’ Association, said: “I have real fears that this is the end of the Green Belt as we know it, and am surprised that the government focus is not on brownfield sites, derelict industrial units and empty shops, which to me makes more sense.”

Paul Stone, of Harefield Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, said: “My first instinct is that we have got to have rules and regulations.

“They are saying that we can build larger extensions but there’s still got to be some sort of governance.

“I think it’s a lot of political talk.

“I don’t think it will improve the economy.”

John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, said: “It introduces a planning free-for-all. I also fear that reducing the protection of the Green Belt will hit Hillingdon hard as developers will be able to destroy whatlittle open green space we have left.”

The changes also include waiving obligations for including affordable housing in new developments if that is delaying a project, and to relax rules on shops and offices expanding.

Onkar Sahota, Labour London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon, said: “In Hillingdon there are 3,715 unimplemented housing approvals waiting to be built.

“These are stalled because banks aren’t lending to developers, and because house-builders want to limit supply to push up prices and increase their profits.”