Conservatories and Planning Permission

Most people prefer to improve their homes instead of getting involved in the costs and stress of moving, especially in the current economic climate. One of the best ways to improve and add value to your home is by building a conservatory.

Everyone has their own ideas on how best to improve on their homes and in order to create harmony and also to avoid unplanned buildings cropping up, most towns and cities there are certain planning restrictions in place and it may be that you require planning permission before building your conservatory. Planning requirements are becoming tighter in order to stop over building and extensions that don't match the environment that they are situated in. Always check with your local planning office for advice you can visit the government's planning portal for information - www.planningportal.gov.uk.

It is prudent to seek professional advice when building your conservatory. If your house has already had some form of building work, it can attract planning restrictions and possible concerns. In most areas, the size of the extension must be subtracted from the total that is available for your property. This is to avoid someone adding new buildings whenever they feel like.

If you live in a conservation area or a listed property, you must seek planning permission before undertaking any conservatory extension. This is especially true if you are going to cut down any vegetation or trees that may be protected.

The type of property that conservatories extend from will be a contributing factor for planning permission. For example a detached/semi detached house can add up to 70 cubic meters or 15% of the un-extended house volume up to a maximum of 115 cubic meters. A terraced property can add up to 50 cubic meters or 10% of the un-extended house volume up to a maximum of 115 cubic meters.

You will also attract planning permission requirements under the following conditions:

If you build within 2m of the boundary line and the highest point at that junction is 4m or more high,
If your conservatory covers more than 50% of the original garden,
If your planning development rights have been removed,
Grade II listed buildings. These may require a hardwood conservatory with a glass roof and
Where a conservatory is 20m or less from a road or public footpath.

Normally the local planning officer will be looking at the projection of the conservatory. This refers to how far the conservatory will protrude into the garden. They are normally happy at about 3m projection from the original house. However, should the proposed conservatory extend more than 3m they may not look at it so favourably and may ask for the size to be reduced. The reason for this is so that your neighbours don't have their view impaired by a large brick wall more than 3m long, the term 'impact onto the boundary'.

These are only of a few of the planning considerations that may be required when building conservatories that one will have to look at. Most of these are location specific and you should contact the planning department in your local area for advice. For your free Apropos Conservatories brochure click here – the only restrictions are your imagination.