A Guide to Planning Permission and Building Regulations for Conservatories |
Planning Permission
You will need to apply for planning permission for any of the following situations:
- If adding a conservatory means that there will be less than 20 metres between any part of the conservatory and a highway. A highway is classed as roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways if they are public rights of way.
- If your house is a listed building.
- If more than half of the area of land (garden) around the 'original house' would be covered by additions or other buildings. 'Original house' means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948 (if built before that date).
Height Restrictions
You will need planning permission if the conservatory will be higher than the highest part of the 'original house' or any part of the conservatory will be more than 4 metres high and will be within 2 metres of the boundary of your property. Volume Restrictions
For a terrace house (including end terrace) or a house in a Conservation Area, National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or the Broads you will need planning permission if the volume of the 'original house' would be increased by 10% or 50 cubic metres - whichever is the greater. |
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For houses outside of those areas, you will need planning permission if the volume of the 'original house' would be increased by more than 15% or 70 cubic metres - whichever is the greater.
If in any case above the volume of the 'original house' would be increased by 115 cubic metres then you will need planning permission. |
If there has been any previous additions to the property, such as an extension, then this will count against the allowances.
If you have other buildings, such as a garage or shed, and any part of the conservatory will be within 5 metres of it then the volume of that building will also count against your allowance.
If you are in any doubt as to whether you need planning permission we recommend that you contact your local planning officer for advice.
Building Regulations
In general, conservatories are exempt under Building Regulations, however the following criteria must be met for a conservatory to be exempt:
- The conservatory roof must be completely transparent or translucent.
- The conservatory must be fitted at ground level.
- The conservatory is separated from the rest of the house by a door.
- The internal floor area of the conservatory must not exceed 30m².
- At least half of the conservatory walls must be glazed.
- The glazing must satisfy the requirements of part N, Schedule 1 for toughened safety glass.
- The conservatory must not contain any drainage facilities, such as a sink, dishwasher or washing machine.
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