On the 4th to the 6th November Sally Tagg once again took up her position as the resident Planning Expert for the Homebuilding and Renovating Show in Harrogate. The event was held at Harrogate International Centre in North Yorkshire, as per previous years. Once again this was a popular event, bursting with over 250 exhibitors and thousands of enthusiastic attendees.

The event offered visitors an extensive range of products and services to help them to deliver their dream home. In addition, experts from Britain’s leading self-build magazine ‘Homebuilding & Renovating’ were on hand to provide free masterclasses and seminars to attendees on the key subject areas essential to any self-build or significant home improvement project.

Sally provided a daily Seminar entitled ‘Planning Permission: A Beginner’s Guide’ in which she guided the show attendees through an introduction to the planning system, the different stages of the planning process and the types of applications that would be relevant to home-builders and home-improvers. This included tips for avoiding common pitfalls and hits on how to successfully achieve planning permission. The final section of the seminar also covered appeals, including the different types, timeframes and what will be required. This seminar is the perfect start for anyone new to the planning system who is looking to embark on the preparation of an application!

Together with a Masterclass on ‘Permitted Development’, in which she took attendees through the various opportunities for extending and improving their homes without the need for planning permission. This class caters for all levels of experience, providing an understanding of what you can and cannot achieve.
This as usual is a very popular session, with many people later purchasing the guide book prepared by Foxley Tagg Planning for 2011 entitled ‘Permitted Development: A guide to extending your property’. To purchase a copy follow this link.

Ask the Experts:
When not on the stage presenting the seminars and masterclasses, Sally was available on the ‘Ask the Experts’ stand for 1-2-1 sessions with individuals, where she could provide detailed advice on specific questions and proposed schemes. This impartial advice was offered free of charge, with Sally providing knowledge and expertise on a range of areas.

These include: Site Assessment, Scheme Feasibility Assessment, the Pre-application Process, Planning Permission, Planning Appeals, Permitted Development Rights, Listed Buildings and Conservation Area Consents.

Popular questions included:
• We have a site in the countryside and would like to build a house on it, where do we start?
• Can I build this using Permitted Development Rights?
• We recently had a planning application rejected , should we appeal the decision?

Future Shows:
The next annual Harrogate Homebuilding and Renovating Show is to be held on the 2nd to the 4th November 2012; however if you live elsewhere in the country, you may be interested in the other timetabled shows:

29th March to 1st April 2012 – National Show, The NEC, Birmingham
30th June to 1st July 2012 – Surrey, Sandown Park, Esher

Tickets:
If you currently subscribe to the Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine you are eligible for two free tickets to all of these events! If you do not subscribe to the magazine and wish to purchase tickets in advance, you can also benefit from a reduced price. Visit the following website link http://somerset.homebuildingshow.co.uk/en/Show-Tickets.aspx and save £3 per ticket. Alternatively, tickets are available on the door for £8.

FTP competition………………… win FREE tickets!