The "GPDO Part 1 Class A (Larger Rear Extensions) - Background Information" page has been updated to include the following additional information:

• 23/04/2013: House of Commons, consideration of the amendment by the House of Lords ("Ping Pong") - On 23 April 2013, the House of Commons decided to agree with the latest amendment to the Growth and Infrastructure Bill by the House of Lords. This means that the proposals to allow Part 1 of the GPDO to include circumstances in which the owner would need to submit a prior approval application to the local authority have now been agreed by both Houses. During the debate, Michael Fallon (Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) confirmed the following about the proposals:
  - "A home owner wishing to build an extension will write to the local planning authority providing plans and a written description of the proposal. The local authority will then notify the adjoining neighbours—for example, the owners or occupiers of properties that share a boundary, including those at the rear. Those neighbours will have 21 days in which to make an objection, the same period as under existing planning rules. If no neighbours object, the home owner will be able to proceed. If any neighbour raises an objection, the local authority will then consider whether the impact of the proposed extension on the amenity of neighbours is acceptable".
  - "No planning fee will be levied on the home owner making the notification".
  - "If approval is not given, the home owner will be able to appeal against a refusal, or may wish to submit a full planning application. As with normal planning consents, neighbours will not be able to appeal against a grant of permission".
  - "I can confirm that this does not apply to conservation areas, and that the ability of a local authority to use an article 4 direction is not impaired by the changes we are making."
  - "I can confirm that [existing permitted development rights are not in any way affected by this new procedure]". (link).