Do you need planning Permission for your Conservatory? Most Customers don't need it. Below is the general guide. Our Designer will be able to advise on your particular property.

 

Do we need planning permission?

Probably not – unless you are adding a conservatory to a house that has already been extended. You may also need to check if your house is a ‘new build' as developers sometimes have restrictions placed upon them.

Here's a quick summary of the basic facts:

 

In England and Wales , official planning permissions are not required as long as the conservatory in question…..

• Has a roof made of at least 75% transparent or translucent material

• Has at least 50% glazed walls (i.e., no more than half of the wall area should be brickwork, masonry or solid panels)

• Has a floor area of no more than 30 square meters

• Is at ground level

• Is permanently separated from the rest of the house by an exterior quality lockable door

• Has thermostatically controlled heating

• Is not being attached to a listed building

• Does not contain sanitary or drainage facilities (one of the likeliest reasons for a conservatory requiring Building Regulation approval is that all or part of it is being used as a kitchen)

• Satisfies the Building Regulations with regard to toughened or safety glass (any reputable Conservatory Installer will make sure this happens automatically)

Please note that requirements in Scotland , and, to a lesser extent, Northern Ireland are different to those in England and Wales .

 

BUILDING REGULATIONS

Generally speaking conservatories/sunrooms on residential property are exempted under Building Regulations.

 

Below are some of the Exemption Criteria - under the Building Regulations 1991 (as amended). These criteria must be met for a conservatory extension to be classified as exempt:

 

a) The extension has a completely transparent or translucent roof.

b) The extension walls are substantially glazed. (Should not have more than 25 % of its wall area as brick work)

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)

 

An example of where building regulation approval may be required is a Kitchen / Conservatory Extension. We suggest you contact your local council - explain your intentions - they will be able to give you more specific advice.

 

As a further guide Conservatories that require building regulation approval will need glazing of the highest insulation quality i.e. - Pilkington K Glass (low E) with argon filled units or even SGG Planitherm.