Local authorities have been urged to be more flexible in granting planning permissions with longer time limits following new rules to extend existing consents.

The rules, released for consultation last week, apply to consents granted by 1 October. After then new schemes will have to be negotiated with councils. The measures will also allow minor alterations without restarting the application process, saving both time and money.

Councils have been reminded by the DCLG of their powers to grant longer timescales. "The onus is on local authorities to be flexible," said British Property Federation assistant director of planning Jonathan Seager.