The rules allow a range of works within certain constraints – including extensions, access ramps, sheds, garages and decking – to be built without applying for planning permission. Certain restrictions will still apply for conservation areas and listed buildings.

The regulations were laid in Parliament last October following a consultation, and will affect projects which go on site from today.

Until now, householders paid 160 pounds in planning fees for developments. Just over 40 per cent of all applications are for planning permission on existing homes and these changes aim to remove up to a fifth of those, around 4,000 a year, from the planning system.

Planning Minister Derek Mackay said:

“These changes allow people to improve their homes more easily and save them money, while creating jobs for building companies and trades people.

“Planning has an important role to play in increasing sustainable economic growth, and these changes, removing in certain cases the need for householders to get planning permission, are a good example of this. They will also enable planning authorities to focus their attention on processing applications for larger developments.

“We consulted extensively before introducing these changes and I am confident they strike the right balance between cutting red tape to help householders and protecting privacy and the appearance of Scotland’s buildings. They also complement the work we have already undertaken to make it easier for householders to install small scale renewables technologies.”

Bob Reid, Convenor of the Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland said:

“RTPI Scotland welcomes the new permitted development rights. These new rules will make it easier for people to make changes to their homes, with the right safeguards for neighbours and for conservation areas and listed buildings. This should allow planning authorities to focus their attention on more complex developments often with larger impact, which, in turn should help to further improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the planning system.”

Chris Norman, Chairman of the Heads of Planning Scotland Development Management Sub Committee said:

“Heads of Planning Scotland and the Scottish Government have worked closely together to prepare these new regulations. They strike a balance between the need to protect the appearance of Scotland’s housing stock and the privacy of neighbours, while giving greater opportunity for householders to carry out small scale works to their home without the need for planning permission.”

Grahame Barn, Director of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in Scotland commented:

“The potential benefits of these changes are clear to see and FMB Scotland builders welcomed the chance to be consulted on them. Small and medium sized building firms such as the FMB’s members carry out the majority of domestic renovation and improvement jobs in Scotland so this legislation should help to make life a little easier for businesses that have been hard-pressed by the downturn. They should entail a streamlined planning process for small building companies and their domestic clients alike, leaving local authority planners throughout Scotland free to focus their energies on more complex developments. The ideal result will be improved business conditions for SME builders as the private sector market for home improvements like extensions and low carbon improvements regains its strength.”

for further information please follow this link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/02/planning-home-06022012

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/access/grants/HVGschemeintro/Fundannouncehome

We will be able to  carry on our Right House, Right Place activities and to develop two exciting new projects- a unique Peer Support Programme and an innovative project called Military Matters. You can find out more by going to

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/12/22121900

If you click on the following link http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/JWH0YH7MSy6JaDXe You can see our Christmas card. We hope it raises a smile in these difficult times.

You can donate to our work by going to http://www.justgiving.com/Moira-Bayne

All the money raised goes directly to help disabled people and their family members.

All of us at Ownership Option would like to thank everyone for their support in 2011 and we look forward to your continued support in 2012.

Katherine, a Perth based trainee solicitor commented:

“I feel honoured at my appointment as vice chair.  I very much enjoy my involvement with Ownership Options as it such a rewarding and worthwhile charity. I hope that I can fulfil my new role to the best of my abilities.”

Director Moira Bayne said “We are tremendously fortunate to have the support of a board which is highly skilled and committed to our work. The board give up a lot of their free time to attend meetings and provide wise guidance and a clear vision to all of us.”

Your kind donation will go into a special fund to allow us to make one off grants .

Examples of how we will use your money include

• Help with decorating and furnishing costs

• Help with building costs

• Help with professional costs for example-architects fees or ,stamp duty

• Help with buying special equipment

• Help with removal costs

You can now donate to Ownership Options quickly and securely by going to the following link http://www.justgiving.com/Moira-Bayne

Fraser Gilmore, Casework & Development Manager noted:

“Karen has worked very hard over the past six month in the achievement of this qualification, and as someone who has personally been through this course I know how challenging this must have been for her. All of us at Ownership Options congratulate her heartily. This training course forms a very important part of  the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers accreditation process, which the organisation is going though at the moment. This process will ensure the good practice of the organisation as a whole and the competencies of its advisers.”

Karen Campbell, Housing Options Broker noted:

“I am delighted to have completed the training course with Shelter.  It has really helped me to consolidate my knowledge of housing information and advice and I look forward to putting this to good use with Ownership Options clients.    Many of our clients have a lot of challenges and difficult choices to face in accessing suitable housing and any positive steps we can take to further our knowledge and assist them is extremely beneficial.”

Category Home: Individual winner

NOT IN A MILLION YEARS!!

By William Murray from Aspire Housing & Personal Development Services

To kill my free time, support staff encouraged me to think about my old hobbies, so I bought a digital camera; staff showed me how to use it. I now enjoy going out, ON MA BIKE! and take pictures of famous buildings and old churches. 2 days ago, I fixed my long forgotten guitar. Staff were amazed that I can actually play and I decided to play for my neighbours in the Christmas dinner organised by staff this year.

A couple of years ago, if someone told me that I will be playing guitar again; cycling and taking picture with my new fancy digital camera, I would have never believed it!

Not in a million years!

But here I am……… EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE!

Category Home: Group winner

Untitled

By Daniel Smith and David Collins from South Fort Street, Gowrie Care

South Fort Street is a temporary supported accommodation project for people who are homeless.  The aim of the project is to support the service users to develop skills and address any issues with a view to moving on and maintaining a tenancy in the community.

This photograph depicts staff and service users working together to create a home, which is essentially what we do.  The hands form the shape of a house and we chose the brick background as this symbolises the security each service user is looking for in a home.

Category Community: Individual winner

This is me in the middle – working hard

By Stuart Henderson from KEY Community Supports

From the first day I moved into KEY in Thurso I wanted his own space . Now 20years later it’s happened  with KEY’s  redevelopment of two multi occupancy houses into high spec flats.

My spacious first floor single bedroom flat gives me the chance to have my mum to stay over which was not possible before.

The people I shared with before are still my neighbours and we all visit each other. We have several social groups which I go to including gardening and photography which anybody in the community can join.

We built a poly tunnel and are now growing vegetables and flowers and people are buying them .I am very busy doing other peoples gardens in the community and have made loads of new friends .

Category Community: Group winner

Maze created our place in the community

By Hayley Barstow and Lucy Birtles from HELP (Argyll & Bute) Ltd

Last year we completed a 12-week programme aimed at preparing young people for employment which was run by our housing support service, the HELP Project.

As part of this programme we painted this mural, which was a collection of puzzles, mazes and optical illusions.  The mural was designed by a local artist but all of the practical work was carried out by the young people.  We transformed a bleak wall into a bright space, while we gained new skills and experience.

We feel this project was important because some members of our community had negative opinions about young people and this project allowed them to meet us and release that we shared a desire to live in a nice community.  It showed that we were willing to contribute, if we were given the opportunity.  It made us feel proud of our work and being part of the community.

Category Challenges: Individual winner

Frustration, withdrawal, depression, same old, different day and staying strong

By Ronnie O’Connor from Aspire Housing & Personal Development Ltd

My photo tries to capture all of the above and the different things we all have to deal with when we are homeless or have addiction problems alongside other issues in life whether large, small, sad or bad.

No matter how hard things get in my own opinion inside everybody’s head there’s a voice talking to them and if they listen carefully they will know the right choices to make.

Although the photo is showing me almost smashing my guitar on the ground, I would never smash my guitar it gives me the freedom to express my feelings. However sometimes I’m mad with myself hence the picture of frustration.  Bob Marley in the background died age 36 from lung cancer in the prime of his life.  The realisation that a genius like Marley died so young inspires me to understand life is too short …. enjoy it to the fullest.

Category Challenges: Group winner

Juggling life’s issues

By Daniel Smith and David Collins from South Fort Street, Gowrie Care

We discussed with the service users the challenges that they face on a daily basis, and through this brainstorming session we identified various words that described these challenges.  One service user said that sometimes he feels that he is juggling various issues at the same time which in itself is a challenge.  All this information helped us come up with the concept for our photograph.  The background of the photograph was aimed at bright colours and a circus feel to enhance the juggling of challenges.