Conservatories Building Regulations

Building Regulations For Conservatories

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Conservatories Building Regulations - Considering a conservatory?

Check below whether you need planning permission or if building regulations apply before proceeding with works.

Always remember that if you carry out works to your home and planning permission is required or building regulations are not adhered to, your works (whether completed or not), may have to be returned to their state prior to commencement.

It is always advisable to ensure that the works you are carrying out, whether conservatories or other home improvement or property renovation projects, are carried out according to current legislation and permissions if required to do so.

Planning Permission Relating To Conservatories

Any works carried out to listed properties or in conservation areas may require planning permission and if this applies to you, you should contact Building Control by default before proceeding with any kind of home improvement projects.

Conservatories currently (since 1st October 2008) are normally excempt from planning permission applications as long as they are carried out in accordance with the following guidelines:

• The extension (conservatory) is to the rear of the property or to the side of the property as long as the side of the property does not meet the road / street.
• The conservatory and other outbuildings (maybe you have some existing outbuildings, outhouses or other fixed structures to your home), must not cover more than half of the land around the house.
• Must not extend more than 4 metres beyond the original house wall if a detached house, no more than 3 metres if a semi-detached / terraced property / townhouse.
• Maximum height is 4 metres for conservatories or other single storey extensions to houses.
• As with extensions, loft conversions, conservatories are not permitted to have balconies, raised platforms or verandahs without planning permission.

Building Regulations - Conservatories

Building regulations do not apply to conservatories normally as long as they are built according to the following building guidelines.

• Good quality exterior doors (can be glazed or patio doors), separates the conservatory from the house (NB: Knock-throughs between your conservatory and home leaving an opening may be subject to building regulations and planning permission)
• A minimum of 50 percent of the walls and 75 percent of the roof must be made of glazing or some other translucent or similar material (failing this, your conservatory may be classed as an extension and be subject to planning permission).
• Electrical works carried out in accordance with the required legislation and building regulations relating to electrical works, preferably by a registered electrician, and at the very least, by a competent person.
• Cannot be more than 30 square metres in floor space
• Glazing must be carried out in accordance with current glazing legislation (fenestration legislation and regulations).
• Must be single storey.

Conservatories Planning Permission - Avoid the pitfalls when planning your conservatory

Conservatories planning permission.

Most conservatories you may want to build are considered a ‘permitted development’.

A large proportion of all timber and uPVC conservatories you can  safely start working on without planning permission.

There are a few exceptions to the rule, which you should consider.

Make sure you aren’t caught out without necessary regulations with the following guidelines:

When do you need planning when building a conservatory?

1. If your build extends beyond the side wall of your original home and you live on ‘designated land’, you may need planning permission.
2. This type of project is not considered a ‘permitted development’.
3. Designated land is land protected in some way, like a national park or a conservation area.
4. So if you live on Exmoor or the Brecon Beacons, check with your planning department first.
5. Restrictions on the total amount you can extend your home are in place.
6. If you have already extended your home in any way, it’s best to check before you start on that conservatory.
7. As a rule of thumb, you can’t extend your property by more than 50% in total without extra conservatories planning permission.
8. Your conservatory cannot front a highway or be forward of the principal or side elevation of the home.
9. Rear conservatories you build have height and build restrictions.
10. They must be no higher than four metres and cannot extend further than three metres from your property.
11. Watch where your build ends.
12. If it is within two metres of your boundary line, restrictions on height apply.
13. Conservatories built on the side of your house cannot be more than 50% of the width of the house.
14. The height of the eaves of your conservatory cannot be higher than the eaves of the original home.
15. If you are planning a conservatory with its own independent heating system you may need conservatories planning permission.
16. You may also need to meet building regulations.
17. If your conservatory is separated from the house by external doors then planning permission may need to be sought by you.

If in doubt, you should check with your local planning authority.

Expert help with planning and building a conservatory

Choose a trusted tradesperson to help with your conservatory from conception and planning to completion.

Post a job using Top Tradespeople and we’ll look for up to four conservatory companies to quote for your project and help make sure that your conservatory dreams come true.

If In Doubt About Conservatories Building Regulations?

Contact your local building control to discuss your proposals and to take proper advice.  A good conservatory company should also be well versed with current conservatories building regulations.

Top Tradespeople do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of this information and professional advice should always be sought if in doubt prior to commencing any home improvement projects.