Franchise owners may soon be able to expand their workplace without obtaining planning permission, under new government proposals.

Prime minister David Cameron wants businesses to be able to expand their premises by up to 100 square metres, or an industrial unit by 200 square metres, without having to go through lengthy planning proposals.

It’s part of a drive to get rid of barriers to growth for businesses.

In an interview with bbc.co.uk, the prime minister explained: “We’re determined to cut through the bureaucracy that holds us back. That starts with getting the planners off our backs, getting behind the businesses that have the ambition to expand and meeting the aspirations of families that want to buy or improve a home.”

It is thought that strict planning laws might have prevented small businesses from engaging in further recruitment. Franchise owners might have found themselves stuck in a workplace too small to employ any more staff. However, these issues could soon be side-stepped if planning laws are abolished.

Dailymail.co.uk reports that the government will launch a month-long consultation about the changes, with a view to introducing them later on this year.

The laws will also apply to residential homes so that homeowners are able to add extensions to their house with ease.