Do I need planning permission for a conservatory?

A conservatory is one of the most popular home improvement projects because of all the many benefits it can bring, introducing lashings of natural light and adding a handy extra space to your existing house that feels natural to be in and comfortable all year round. However, if you’ve never properly looked into what it means to add a glazed extension to your home, you’re probably wondering if you need planning permission for a conservatory.

It’s a good question, especially since conservatories are more popular than they’ve ever been with the cost of moving space at a premium. That’s why we thought it worth putting together a blog dedicated to answering this question once and for all. And the answer is, no, in the vast majority of cases you don’t need planning permission for a conservatory. But there are a few extra things to consider before you start drawing up plans…

Do I need planning permission to build a conservatory?

Generally, a conservatory – or glazed extension of any type – doesn’t require planning permission because it is covered by Permitted Development rights. These allow homeowners in England, Scotland or Wales to carry out specific types of work without having to submit a planning application to the local council.

There are a few exceptions, though. If you live in a flat or a maisonette, Permitted Development rules don’t apply because of the impact any work might have on your neighbours. Also, properties based in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or a Conservation Area may have restrictions applied to Permitted Development rights, or them removed altogether. If your home is based in a Designated Area, it is always wise to check with the local authorities to double-check any planning rules before any work begins, but we’ll cover that in more detail later.

Of course, regardless of if you need to inform the local planning authorities or not, any work carried out to your home will require building regulations approval – something any competent and trustworthy installer will be able to demonstrate.

When would I need planning permission for a conservatory?

Okay, so we’ve cleared you of any panic by revealing that in most cases, new conservatories, orangeries and glazed extensions won’t need planning permission. But what about the handful of instances where they do? These are incredibly specific and are easily avoidable for most UK homeowners, but here are the three reasons why your conservatory would ever need conservatory planning permission:

If your conservatory will be higher than the highest point of your home’s roof.
If the eaves and ridge height are higher than the house or property (single-storey or two-storey).
The height of the eaves can’t exceed three metres when within two metres of a boundary
If 50 per cent of the total area around your original house will end up covered by a conservatory.
If the conservatory is forward of the front or side of a property that faces onto a road.
Side extension conservatories must not extend beyond more than half the width of the house.

At Sherborne, we can work with you in designing your dream conservatory in a way to ensure that it doesn’t break any of the above conditions. Providing you don’t live in a designated area, live in a listed building or a property that falls within the Article 4 direction, we’re confident that choosing to have a conservatory installed onto your home won’t incur the need to get planning permission.

Complete your dream extension with the ideal conservatory roof

Another piece of good news is that if you already have an existing conservatory and want to update it with a modern roof replacement, you can also do that without seeking planning permission. When it comes to modern conservatory roof upgrades, we offer two main types to choose from; glazed or solid. Both offer bespoke benefits depending on your needs and how you plan on using the space.

Glazed conservatory roof benefits:

If you want to maximise light entry from absolutely every angle possible, further blurring the line between inside and outside living spaces, then a glazed conservatory roof is for you. They stay crystal clear throughout the year, are wonderfully energy efficient to keep out the cold, and various colour finishes help the glazed roof feel like a true part of your home.

Tiled conservatory roof benefits:

The absolute pinnacle of conservatory sophistication, tiled conservatory roofs are the route to go down if you want to make the extended space feel like a natural extension of your home. If installed correctly, from the outside you’ll barely be able to notice that it’s a conservatory at all – doubly so if you opt to have internal conservatory cladding installed. Tiled roofs are even more energy efficient than the glazed option and can also be designed to incorporate roof lanterns or glass panels to ensure the space is still filled with natural light.

Remove the stress of a conservatory installation with Sherborne services

Hopefully, that’s helped you feel a lot more confident about having a conservatory installed in your home. If there’s anything you’re unsure about regarding planning permission or if there’s a specific question you have in mind, be sure to get in touch for free via the online contact form. We’d be happy to provide a free quote and discuss your plans further.