Neighbours in Hyndburn will soon be ‘at war’ with each other over temporary planning rule changes, councillors have warned.

New legislation has been brought in by the government to make it easier for householders to get extensions approved without needing planning permission.

Government bosses say the three-year relaxation of planning rules will help energise the ailing construction industry and boost the economy.

However, councillors claimed the changes would result in more neighbour feuds and extra work for an over-burdened planning department.

Council leader Miles Parkinson told the full council meeting neighbours would ‘undoubtedly fall out’ over the changes.

He added: “Neighbours who wish to object can’t because they are not the next door neighbour.

“There is also the financial issue with all this extra work that will come in for extensions the council planning department won't be able to charge for.

“That is an additional £18,000 in costs and issues related to it we won't be able to charge for either.”

Under the changes residents wishing to build extensions will notify the council, who will then inform neighbours.

If neighbours do not object the development will be able to proceed unless concerns are raised within 21 days.

Single-storey extensions of up to eight metres for detached houses and six metres for other houses will be able to be built without planning consent being required.

Conservative councillor Doug Hayes called the changes ‘ridiculous’.

He told the meeting: “We are going to have neighbours that will really fall out and I mean good neighbours because if there’s no objection it will go through under delegated powers.

“It’s something that’s been put through and a typical thing from this government as it’s not been thought out properly. It is very dangerous.”

Deputy council leader Clare Pritchard said only one per cent of the construction is based on home extensions and called it ‘short termism in the extreme’.

She added: “The only people who will benefit are solicitors and the civil court where this will undoubtedly end up.”

But Tory group leader Peter Britcliffe said there were safeguards in place.

He said: “It is about trying to continue the recovery after the downturn in the economy and that is the purpose.”