Planning applications have risen by more than 25% over the last five years, as the high cost of moving house convinces those looking for extra space to stay put and expand instead, figures from lender Halifax show.
The number of planning applications for basement extensions had risen a whopping 183% to 3,064 at the end of 2016, while applications for loft conversions were up 43%. In contrast, applications for conservatories fell by 3%.
London saw applications rise by 60%, but in Scotland the increase was only 3%. The overall growth rate has also slowed in the last year, to 2% from 6% in the prior period.
