Please note, we do not offer advice unless during projects and all information below is correct at the date of publishing.
If you are considering updating an existing conservatory or adding a new conservatory to your home, ensuring your planning obligations are in order is imperative. Below, we have covered an outline of your obligations.
When you use a reputable company for your conservatory, such as Ripton Windows, you will ensure that the planning and procedural side of the project will all be undertaken on your behalf.
As a guideline, the following details offer an outline of your obligations and considerations when planning your conservatory.
Conservatory Planning Permission Requirements
Most conservatories in the England & Wales fall under Permitted Development Rights and don’t require planning permission if they meet specific criteria:
- The conservatory must be single-storey and built at ground level, with a maximum height of 4 metres for a pitched roof or 3 metres for any other roof type.
- The conservatory cannot cover more than 50% of the total area of land around the original house, including all other extensions and outbuildings.
- The conservatory must be built at the rear or side of the property, not extending beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than 6 metres for attached houses or 8 metres for detached houses.
- No part of the conservatory should be within 2 metres of the boundary unless the whole structure is under 2.5 metres high. (90% of conservatories fall within this).
- Windows facing neighbouring properties must be obscure-glazed if they are less than 1.7 metres above floor level.
Planning permission will be required if the conservatory doesn’t meet these criteria or if your property has restrictions such as being in a conservation area, listed building, or having existing planning conditions.
Building Regulations Requirements
Building regulations approval is typically required for most conservatories, covering structural safety, insulation, and other technical standards:
- All new-build conservatories require building regulations approval unless they are fully glazed, under 30 square metres, and separated from the house by external-quality doors and windows. If you are covering an existing roof structure to a solid roof structure this may not be the case.
- The foundations must meet structural requirements and be designed to support the conservatory's weight and withstand ground conditions.
- Thermal insulation standards must be met, including proper glazing specifications and insulation in any solid walls or roof elements.
- Electrical work must comply with building regulations, including proper circuit protection and earthing arrangements.
- Drainage and damp-proofing must be adequate to prevent water ingress and moisture problems.
Even if planning permission isn’t required, building regulations approval is a separate legal requirement that ensures the conservatory is safe and energy-efficient.
Key Considerations
The process involves different authorities and timescales:
- Planning permission applications are submitted to your local planning authority and typically take 8 weeks to process.
- Building regulations applications go to your local building control authority or an approved inspector, with approval usually taking 4-6 weeks.
- Both permissions may be required simultaneously - obtaining one doesn't automatically grant the other.
- Professional advice is recommended for complex situations or if you're unsure about requirements.
It’s advisable to check with your local planning authority before starting any conservatory project, as local policies and site-specific factors can affect requirements.
If you are considering adding a new conservatory to your home, or updating an existing installation, why not give us a call to have a chat about any potential planning obligations that you may need to cover off. As part of our service of installing conservatory, we are well versed in working with local councils and government organisations to ensure accurate and proper building regulations and planning permissions are followed.
Â