In the UK, the development or modification of land or buildings is often subject to formal approval from the local authority, known as planning permission. It is to ensure the proposed changes are appropriate for the area and comply with national and local planning policies and that they don’t negatively impact the environment or community. Some smaller changes to homes and buildings, such as garden sheds, small extensions and some types of conservatories don’t require planning permission, as they are known as permitted development rights. This blog post will look at some of the different conditions and limitations for permitted development rights and planning permission and whether or not your planned conservatory will need to be approved.
Criteria for Permitted Development
Some of the main considerations to work out if your conservatory falls into the permitted development category, or whether planning permission is needed, are as follows:
- Size and Scale: The size and scale of the conservatory must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than eight metres for detached houses or six metres for other types of houses. The maximum height of the conservatory is not permitted to exceed four metres and if the conservatory is within two metres of the boundary, the maximum height of the eaves shouldn’t exceed three metres.
- Coverage: No more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’ should be covered by additions or other buildings. The term ‘original house’ refers to the house as it was when it was first built, or as it stood on 1st July 1948 if it was constructed before that date.
- Location: The conservatory shouldn’t be at the front of the property or side if it is onto a highway, and it must be a single-storey construction.
- Design and Appearance: The conservatory should be in keeping with the design of the original property, especially in designated areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, World Heritage or Conservation Areas.
Some Special Cases
If your property is a listed building, you will need planning permission regardless of the size, scale and location of the conservatory. Also, as mentioned above, if your home is in a designated area such as a Conservation Area, World Heritage Site or National Park there may well be additional restrictions which will have to meet the more stringent rules which aren’t covered by permitted development. Building regulations approval will still be needed, even if planning permission is not required, if the conservatory isn’t separated from the house by external quality doors, is more than 30 square metres in floor area or if it impacts the structural integrity of the house or has an impact on drainage. The rules also are impacted by whether the roof is glass or a warm roof and if the conservatory has independent heating or is attached to the central heating. Another consideration is whether it will impact your neighbours and whilst building a regular conservatory under permitted development isn’t something neighbours can object to, if you’re building up to a shared party wall, it’s advisable to discuss the project with your neighbours to secure a Party Wall Agreement.
So, Does My Conservatory Need Planning Permission?
You could be excused for having read this far and still be feeling a bit confused about whether your conservatory plans will fall under the permitted development category, need building regulations or full-blown planning permission. More information can be found at the planning portal however, the simplest answer is always to discuss your plans with a professional who is used to dealing with the rules and regulations surrounding conservatories and their legalities. If in doubt, it’s always better to check first as if you don’t follow the regulations and gain the relevant permissions and certifications, you can end up with huge problems in the future if you try to sell the property. You may even have to remove the conservatory or extension at your own cost.
Haus Installations For Your New Conservatory
Our expert team at Haus has been installing new conservatories in Worcestershire and the Midlands for years. For smaller updates, we also offer warm replacement conservatory roofs. Our team works closely with another company that organises planning permission. We do the design work and then work closely with them to sort all the necessary permissions throughout the project. To begin your exciting conservatory project, get in touch with our expert team and let’s begin your journey today. You can call us on 01905 701201 or email sales@hausinstallations.co.uk and one of our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
