Do You Need Planning Permission to Build a Conservatory?
Do You Need Planning Permission to Build a Conservatory?
Looking to build a conservatory for your home? Here's what you need to know about planning permission before your break ground.
Building a conservatory on your property can be a lot of fun and a great investment, but it's important to be careful of overstepping building regulations. What is allowed and what isn't? How do you go about getting permission? Read on for your quick guide on when you need planning permission for a conservatory and how to go about obtaining it!
Location Requirements
First of all, you will have to abide by all local and national regulations for your orangery or conservatory. These regulations can vary quite a bit between places, so you will have to check your local ordinances to see what is required of you. However, there are some regulations that will generally apply to where you put your conservatory on your property. A lot of these have to do with where your conservatory is in relation to your #original house.# You will have to get planning permission if more than 50% of the land around your house will be covered by the conservatory. In addition, if your conservatory extension comes forward of the original front or side of a house that faces a road, you'll need permission to extend the building in that direction.
Size Regulations
Size limits and regulations are where it gets really tricky. There are a lot of dimensions where you will typically be able to construct a conservatory with no issues, but others where you will need permission to build. In general, you will need permission to build a conservatory if it fits one of these three criteria:
- The conservatory is higher than the highest part of the house's roof
- If the eaves and ridge are higher than the house
- If the height of the eaves is higher than 3 metres and is within 2 metres of the boundary
For things built on the side or the rear, you'll need permission if your conservatory is more than 4 metres tall. In addition, you'll need permission for a side conservatory if it's wider than 50% of the house width. And for a rear conservatory, you'll need official planning if it extends more than a certain distance, depending on if it's attached or separate.
Where to Get Planning Permission
Because there are so many other regulations and specifications, it's probably a good idea to check your conservatory with your local ordinances, even if it meets the requirements listed here. But what is planning permission? Basically, you have to get permission from your government and possibly have them inspect your location to make sure everything is in order. Most often, you will have to speak with a local building control body. This may change depending on your local authorities and regulations, so you should always check with your Local Authority Building Control (LABC) to be sure. You can check the full regulations for when you need building approval, but these regulations can change, so it's always a good idea to double-check with your local government to be sure before starting a project.
Learn More About Conservatories and Greenhouses!
Conservatories, orangeries, and greenhouses are great additions to a house or property, and we're eager to help you get yours started as well! Whether you need help with planning permission or just need to figure out what windows to get, we're here with you every step of the way. So if you have any questions, feel free to contact us! We'd be happy to help make sure you're starting on the right track and that your conservatory is the best that it can be.
