RADICAL changes to planning laws mean South Lakeland residents could be given the freedom to build extensions, add an extra storey to their homes or install a drive without planning consent.

Ministers want to give neighbourhoods the right to take over many of the planning responsibilities held by councils under the new Localism Bill.

Part of the Government’s vision for a ‘Big Society’, it is expected to allow groups of householders to apply to become ‘neighbourhoods’ with boundaries based on groups of streets or larger areas.

There would be a presumption that local authorities would recognise them – and once established it would mean residents could prepare their plans to be voted on in local forums.

If approved, the plans would have to be accepted by the local authorities.

Local groups would also be able to draw up agreed lists of categories of development that people could carry out without the need for planning consent.

Examples could include extra storeys on homes, conservatories, loft conversions and other extensions, front drives and even wind turbines.

Neighbourhoods which approved new housing developments would become the recipients of financial incentives provided by Whitehall, which could include council tax rebates.

Councils – including South lakeland and Eden – will receive the Localism Bill tomorrow (Thursday), to tell them how they will be affected.

As yet the plans have to be finalised and as it stands, would cover the Lake District National Park Authority or conservation areas.

A spokesman for the LDNPA said: “Currently we have no information and are waiting to hear details of the changes, some time before Christmas.

“We have no reason at the moment to believe national parks will be ‘exempt’ from the suggested changes to the planning system.

“We already have good relations with our parishes and local communities, the same groups that might be given more decision-making powers under a changed system.”

Other features of the bill include disposing of the controversial ‘conflict of interest’ rules for local authorities which have seen councillors being told not to share the same car when travelling to planning meetings and also introduce measures to pave the way for elected mayors in 12 UK cities.