Going up ... cost of your loft

The cost of a loft conversion or extension is set to rocket after ministers proposed a rise in planning fees today.

Planning minister Keith Hill wants to raise the fees by an average of 17 per cent.

Under the changes homeowners would see the cost of a minor home improvement project rise from ?220 to ?240. But gaining permission for a more substantial development would rise from ?11,000 to ?28,000.

The building industry immediately warned that in most cases the cost would be passed to homeowners. A Construction Confederation spokesman said: "If the Government really wants to improve the planning process it should speed up the planning applications."