Thinking about converting your garage, extending into the loft or adding a garden room this year? Exeter homeowners taking on these kinds of projects should know that the planning rules shifted earlier this month, and it’s worth understanding how before your application goes in.
As of 6th August 2026, the biodiversity net gain exemption that used to cover most self-build and custom-build projects has been removed. In its place is a new area-based rule: sites of 0.2 hectares or under will generally still qualify for a simplified exemption, but anything larger now needs a formal biodiversity assessment showing a 10% net gain for local habitats, along with a long-term management plan.
For the typical Exeter conversion, whether that’s a loft, garage or single-storey extension on an existing plot, most homeowners are unlikely to be affected in any meaningful way. Where it does matter is on larger gardens or plots being developed for a new dwelling, where the site area tips over that 0.2 hectare threshold and triggers the fuller process.
The safest approach is simply to have the conversation before your plans are drawn up, so your site area and project scope are checked against the current rules from day one rather than partway through the planning process.
This is where working with a local building company in Exeter really pays off. DMS Conversions have been converting and extending homes across Exeter for years and keep a close eye on changes like this, so projects run smoothly from planning through to completion. If you’re weighing up a conversion or extension this year, get in touch with DMS Conversions to talk it through.
07870164973