Planning permission conservatory & Building Regulations
It is very important that you do nor embark on a significant project such as a conservatory, requiring a substantial financial investment, without first confirming that the project is fully compliant with all relevant regulations.Headline from Daily Mail 1st February 2010
Cliffs Clanger : Singer told to tear down £30,000 conservatory built without Planning Permission at his home.
It appears that Sir Cliff engaged the services of a company that built him a conservatory without first confirming that Planning permission was not required. We can help ensure this does not happen to you.
Planning Permission Conservatory
Firstly it is important to understand that Planning Permission and Building Regulations, whether for a conservatory, or any other building extension are 2 completely different sets of regulations, administered by 2 entirely different departments of your Local Authority. In simple terms Planning Permission covers what you can build & Building Regulations cover how you can build it.Most conservatories are exempt from Building Regulations, however the rules concerning Conservatories and Planning Permission are the same as for any extension
What is the definition of a conservatory & the building regulations
Conservatories are, in principle, exempt from Building Regulation approval. This means that it is not necessary for the Local Authority Building Inspector to visit and inspect the work as it would be if you were building a traditional extension, this has advantages in reducing delays and costs, however it also means that there are no formal rules governing the specification.
In order for your conservatory to be exempt from Building Reulations it must meet the following criteria
1. It is built at ground level and is less than 30 square metres floor area
2. At least 50% of the walls and 75% of the roof is either glazed or translucent materials
3. The conservatory is separated from the house by external doors
4. Glazing and Electrics comply with the relevant regulations (full copies of these regulations can be supplied on request)
Planning Permission Conservatory
Conservatories are considered permitted development and your conservatory may not require planning permission subject tocertain limits and conditions, the main 3 that we have encountered in our extensive conservatory planning permission experience are
1. More than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings
2. No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway
3. Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of 3 metres for an attached house and 4 metres for a detached house
The term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948, if built before that date. We have also encountered a few new developments that have had all development rights withdrawn, so all conservatories on those developments would require planning permission.
Conservation areas, national parks etc are also areas that have special regulations covering conservatory planning permission.
Visit the government Planning Portal website
Planning permission conservatory and building regulations can be a complicated subject
But help is at hand, at Vivaldi we have built a real variety of conservatory projects, of which 20% have required planning permission. We have obtained Full Conservatory Planning Permission on behalf of hundreds of clients, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible for them. To give our clients peace of mind in cases where Planning Permission is not required it is our policy to obtain a letter of confirmation from the local authority. Give us a call to discuss the project you have in mind, with our extensive experience we are sure we could help you. Every one of our Vivaldi Conservatories clients receives a letter from the local authority confirming the projects Planning status, so they never get caught out like poor old Sir Cliff.
Ring 0800 083 0555 to discuss your conservatory projects planning status
Advice given on this page is only general, formal specific advice can only be given following a site visit and survey. Contact us to book
