Planning permission
 Do I need planning permission for my conservatory or
building regulation approval - and what’s the difference.
PLANNING PERMISSION
Planning Permission is granted by a local authority
to build on land, or change the use of a building. In
England and Wales most conservatories will not need planning
permission. (Please be aware that Scotland, Northern
Ireland and Eire have different rules, and what is said
below may not apply).
 Depending on where you live the permitted area you can
develop before seeking permission from the council is
50 to 70 cubic metres. But you need to know if your home
has been extended in the past, as some or all of the
permitted area may have been used.
One exception is when the conservatory is an extension
to the kitchen. These
are becoming more and more popular and do need the advice
of a planning expert from the local authority.
Listed buildings are an exception to the usual rule
and will need guidance from the local conservation officer
with the council.
Flats and maisonettes will always require planing permission,
as they have no permitted development rights.
 Other factors which need to be considered are - how
close is the conservatory to the boundary line, and how
much garden will the extension cover.
The golden rule is, if you are unsure contact the local
authority and speak to the planning department, and ask
for any advice you are given in writing, as if there
are problems in the future you will have proof that you
went ahead in good faith.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
Building Regulations are in place to ensure the safety
of a construction. Usually conservatories on domestic
buildings are exempt from building regulations.
Below is a list of the criteria a conservatory must
meet to be exempt from building regulations:
| a) |
The
extension has a completely transparent or translucent
roof. |
| b) |
The extension
walls are substantially glazed. Must have at least
half the area of the walls formed of windows. Must
have at least three quarters of the area of the
roof formed of glazing, polycarbonate sheets or
similar translucent material. |
| c) |
The
extension has a floor area not exceeding 30m squared. |
| d) |
The
extension is sited at ground level. |
| e) |
The
extension is permanently separated from the remainder
of the property by means of a door. |
| f) |
Any radiator
within the conservatory is controllable. (If fixed
heating installations are proposed, they should
have their own separate temperature and on/off
controls). |
| g) |
The
glazing satisfies the requirements of part N, Schedule
1 (toughened/safety glass). |
| h) |
The
extension does not contain any drainage facilities.
(i.e. sink, WC, or washing machine) |
IMPORTANT: Erecting a conservatory
is an expensive undertaking - ensuring that it meets
local and national laws or
rules is imperative. It isn’t something which
can be skipped over or ignored. Having to dismantle
your lovely new extension would be devastating, so
do take all necessary steps to ensure it meets the
regulations before you buy and building work starts.
Our grateful thanks to Extensions
in Glass and British
Conservatories for providing the
gallery images on this page. |
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