Planning Permission Tips UK - Conservatories - Dispelling a Myth

It's now well into the new year and the residential development scene has got off to a good start again. All this talk about 'slow down' certainly hasn't affected peoples desire to improve rather than move. Building Design Agents are often the first barometer within the building trade of any ups or downs in trends and I certainly haven't noticed any lessening of work.

Conservatories - lets get it straight once & for all - If you were to ask 10 home owners about the Planning requirements for a conservatory I guarantee 8 out of the 10 would say 'Conservatories don't need formal Planning consent'. When you ask them to justify that statement all weird & wonderful terms are stated such as 'its light weight' 'its not made of brick' 'you can see through it' 'its not a solid structure' etc.

For the record - MOST CONSERVATORY EXTENSIONS DO REQUIRE FORMAL PLANNING CONSENT in exactly the same criteria as if the extension was a kitchen or dining room extension for example. This urban myth that conservatories are exempt from Planning arose from the original Permitted development rights that were/are attached to some dwellings. Given the relatively modest size of most conservatories it was easy for them to fall under the strict dimensional & volume constraints applied to the 70 or 50 cubic meter Permitted Development rule.

However, what people forget is the fact that most new properties have had their Permitted Development rights removed by the Planners when the estate or dwelling was originally approved which has been the case now for at least 20 years & more and more properties have already been extended in the past ensuring that any permitted Development rights that they may have enjoyed has now been used up. There is also a whole raft of other 'catch 22' requirements that can prevent a conservatory being built under Permitted Development that I will not go into here but suffice to say play safe & always assume that your conservatory will require formal Planning and it is just a bonus if it does not require it.

Regretfully this myth that all conservatories are exempt from Planning is often perpetuated by some unscrupulous conservatory suppliers/manufacturers that simply side step the issue or place the onus back onto the client. Any reputable conservatory supplier will assess your particular site circumstances and have the situation resolved at the Council first. Prior to accepting any quote you should first see a sight of the Councils 'informal pre-application enquiry letter' from a Case Planning Officer that confirms the Conservatory suppliers opinion. WARNING - If it transpires after the conservatory was built & paid for that formal Planning Permission was required then it is the HOME OWNER THAT IS RESPONSIBLE for rectifying the breach of Planning Control - not your builder. If Planning Consent is denied and then again at appeal then you must remove it at your own cost.

More house sales collapse because of illegally built conservatories than you would ever imagine - the house purchaser simply pulls out of the deal running shy of this problem or not wanting to wait the 2 to 3 months it will take to try and rectify the problem with a retrospective application. The only slight chink of of hope in all this if you do have an illegally built conservatory is the 4 year rule - if you can get away with it for 4 year or more & can prove its age then normally the Planners are unable to insist on its removal or for you to apply for retrospective Planning approval.

Conservatories are normally fully exempt from the Building Regulations provided the glass is to a certain type and standard , it does not exceed 30 square metres & you have dividing doors between the main house & the conservatory. However, even this has a number of other criteria to comply with in order for it to be exempt but it is normally much more straight forward than the Planning issues.

The conclusion to a new conservatory is this - Always request an informal confirmation letter from the Planning Dept. if it your view or your suppliers view that the conservatory will fall under the sites permitted development allowance. Obtaining this confirmation letter can be troublesome at times if you are unable to supply the Case Planning Officer with some drawing details and a copy of the O/S map. Most good conservatory suppliers will have their in house or externally supplied agent to prepare these details for you. Most Planning Departments will not respond with an opinion unless you can lay it out on a plate for them so don't waste time trying by calling in on them and trying to verbally explain your situation - Always write in with sketch schemes & a marked up O/S plan.

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the tactics involved when developing land or a site for residential use and how to give yourself the best chance of being granted planning permission.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk

---

Ten Things You May Not Know About Selecting Hardwood Flooring

1) Red Oak is not the only choiceIf you want... Read More

Installing a Bathroom Vanity and Countertop

The installation of a new bathroom vanity and countertop can... Read More

A Well Chosen Bathroom Vanity Will Make Your Bathroom Look Great!

A bathroom vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom. Regardless... Read More

What To Look For In Persian Rugs

Selecting a Persian rug can be a daunting task for... Read More

How To Ward Off House Thief

To most of us, security at home is very important.... Read More

Building or Decorating Your Home Requires House Plans

There are some things to consider when creating plans for... Read More

Types Of Bedsteads

Selection of bedstead is also an important thing as selection... Read More

Do You Make These Window Replacement Mistakes ?

Whether it's a misguided baseball, or storm damage, sooner or... Read More

Gas Stoves - Pros and Cons

Gas stoves are those preferred by professionals. The heat distribution... Read More

Whats Underfoot? A Quick Guide to Patio Surfaces

Patios and terraces have always been popular outdoor spaces. Whether... Read More

Skip Troweling Method for Textured Ceilings

There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when... Read More

Mexico: Who Farted?

Do you have embarrassing gas problems? Do you find this... Read More

Bamboo Flooring for the 21st Century

Bamboo flooring has emerged as a new material for the... Read More

Your Building Your Dream Home, But Where Do You Start?

You have finally found the perfect lot, in the neighborhood... Read More

Contractor Referral

"As a contractor with 16 years of experience and speaking... Read More

Natural Gas vs Charcoal Grills ? Which One Is Right For You?

Barbequing outdoors is a pleasure that anyone can partake in... Read More

Planning Permision Tips UK - 6 Common Design Mistakes When Extending a Residential Property

Don't you just love the design of some of these... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for... Read More

Is It Time For Solar Energy to Get Hot?

Solar energy has been around for quite a while and... Read More

Color Help: Color Theory and Design Psychology

Color theory is an entire science unto itself, and to... Read More

Cheap Interior Design Ideas

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days.... Read More

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Every one lives in a house but every house is... Read More

Mexican Artisans Promote the Use of Recycled Copper in the Fabrication of Their World Famous Copper

For many years copper has been the main raw material... Read More

Conservatory Blinds ? the Finishing Touch

There's no doubt that blinds add the finishing touch to... Read More

Complete Home Rehab In 10 Days

This report is about taking a house and restoring it... Read More

Make Your Home Secure

The following list offers some inexpensive ways to make your... Read More

Heated Driveways: Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How

What are heated driveways? The obvious answer is, "a driveway... Read More

Strapping a Ceiling

Prior to hanging sheetrock to ceiling joists it is important... Read More

Conventional Steam Saunas vs. Infrared Saunas

The health benefits of steam saunas have been recognized for... Read More

Interior Design For New Homes

When decorating or making decorating decisions for new homes, it... Read More

Create a Luxurious Laundry Room

Give your home a luxurious feel with a beautiful laundry... Read More

Vacation Break for Electrical Machines

Are you overloaded? Have you become a part of the... Read More

The Advantages of Steel Buildings

Use of steel as a construction material has seen phenomenal... Read More