RESIDENTS will have to wait a while longer to find out how planning reforms, recently unveiled by the Gover-nment, will affect the South Hams.

Last week, Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg announced reforms including consulting on a three-year relaxation of planning rules for extending homes and businesses.

It was suggested that homeowners would be able to build 6m long extensions without planning permission – twice what is allowable at present

These proposals – along with plans to remove requirements for developers to inc-lude affordable housing if they prove that it will make a site commercially unviable – could have huge repercussions for the South Hams, where planning issues are often contentious.

A spokesman for South Hams Council, said: 'We are awaiting full details of the changes announced last week.

'When we have all the information, we will be able to understand how the changes are likely to affect planning applications in the South Hams.

The Communities Secretary, Eric Pickles, has indicated there will be consultation before any changes are implemented.'

Other announcements included:

An extra £280m for the FirstBuy scheme to help would-be homeowners with a deposit

Funding of £300m to provide 15,000 affordable homes and bring 5,000 empty homes back into use

A 'major infrastructure fast-track' for big projects

Putting poorly performing council planning departments into 'special measures', allowing developers to bypass them if they fail to improve.

South Hams MP Dr Sarah Wollaston said: 'We need more affordable housing in the South Hams and I was delighted to hear that the first buy scheme has been extended by a further £280m.

'This allows households with an income of less than £60,000 per year to gain access to a 20 per cent equity loan which means they only need to raise a five per cent deposit as a first time buyer on a new property.

'In the South Hams in particular, where housing costs are high, the issue of raising a deposit is often the greatest barrier to getting a mortgage.

'On the issue of reducing planning del-ays, this is important. Delayed decisions add to costs and drive up the price of housing, as well as creating uncertainty for neighbourhoods.

'More controversial is the issue of section 106 agreements where loss of viability has stalled developments around the issue of affordable housing.

'I am concerned that some developers may seek to ditch requirements for affordable housing and maximise profits at the expense of locals needing affordable properties.

'I will be seeking assurances in the legislation.

'This will be offset, however, by the welcome commitment to invest £200million in housing sites for high quality rented homes and a debt guarantee for £20billion to housing providers wanting to borrow to invest in new rental homes.

'Housing Associa-tions will be among those to benefit from this.

'As ever, a balance is needed between protecting our environment and the call for affordable housing for local families.

'I'm also pleased to hear that another £300 million will be invested in helping to bring empty properties back into use as well as a simplification for families wishing to extend their homes to free up planners to focus on other areas.'

Roger Daniels, director of Pegasus Planning Group, said: 'There is actually very little in the announcements to justify their description as relaxing, simplifying or streamlining planning rules.

'Larger conservatories will not solve the housing crisis or kick-start economic recovery.

'However, we are still at an early stage of discussions with the council about issues like the provision of affordable housing and other planning obligations on sites K1 and K5 in Kingsbridge.

'We expect to reach agreements that will not threaten the viability of development or the council's aspirations for these sites. Some of the announcements will not therefore apply.

'Easier mortgage deposits to help first-time home buyers and loan guarantees for affordable housing should help the housing market generally, but it is impossible to know how much funding will be made available to help people forming new households in Kingsbridge.

'The announcements do, however, indicate that the Government is beginning to take the housing crisis seriously and to look at improvements in the planning process.'