Planning Permissions for Conservatories

A conservatory is among the best methods to expand the available living space in addition to raising the value of one's existing home. Conservatory extensions are typically more cost-effective to construct than conventional home extensions and quickly become the favoured room for relaxing and gathering.

Conservatories can also be ideal for entertaining. You can confidently plan your garden party with no need for concern about nuisances, for example inclement weather, insects, or allergies. 
A conservatory gives the natural sunlight providing the ideal area for reading, napping, or perhaps a secure and sunlit space for the kids to use. 
The flexibility of contemporary conservatories makes them an excellent improvement for any home.

This straightforward information on conservatory planning permission requirements includes rules, and facts about local authority legislation.
 With a lot of modern families constantly considering ways to improve, upgrade and add space to their own homes, planning permission requirements are becoming tighter making sure that any building work undertaken is in keeping with neighbouring properties and local area guidelines.



Under present local authority legislation you may very well not need planning permission to build a conservatory, providing you meet with the following listed points.

A Detached Property
without planning permission
You are able to develop up to 70m³ or 115% of the total volume of the property, whichever is the greatest. However, this can be a combination of the entire amount of extensions. For example, if you had a lounge extension of 35m³ and a conservatory of 46m³ this would total 81m³ and you would require planning permission for your project. If your total is less than 70m3, or 115% of the volume of the present building, planning permission should not be required.



A Semi-Detached Property
A semi-detached property uses the same rules as a detached property, you are entitled to develop as much as 70m³.



Terraced and End Terraced Properties

Precisely the same rules apply to these as detached and semi detached properties. However, the amount you are entitled to develop is reduced to 50m³.



Flats and Maisonettes

You are not permitted to develop flats or maisonettes without obtaining planning permission. You will find no exceptions to this particular rule.


These rules and regulations refer to developments carried out after July 1st, 1948. There are a number of additional points and conditions that may alter whether planning permission would be granted for your conservatory and they are as detailed below...

1. If the conservatory covers an area greater that 50% of the original garden.
2. If the planning development rights have been removed
3. In the event you construct your development within 2m of the boundary line along with the highest point at that junction is 4m or higher
4. In the event your property is a Grade II listed building. These can require hardwood conservatories with glass roofs. Rules may well be very strict with these properties.
5. Should your conservatory or development be 20m or less from a road or public footpath



Boundary Impact
A planning officer would inspect the projection of the conservatory (how far it would protrude directly into the garden). Normally they would probably be satisfied with an approximate 3m projection coming from the original building. Should your proposed development or conservatory extension protrude greater than 3 metres they may not consider it so favourably and may even seek a reduction in size. This can be to make sure neighbours and neighbouring properties are not obliged to view large brick walls greater than 3 metres in length.

If planning permission is not necessary for your construction then a letter of lawful development from the local authority may be something you are able to obtain. In the case of selling your house it should highlight that you have complied accordingly.

In the event of you being in any doubt regarding the regulations as well as the requirement for the preparation of plans or drawings it should be possible to contact your local planning office. They will be more than pleased to provide you with helpful guidance and knowledge to make sure that costly last second alterations or legal mistakes are not made.