planning permision for conservatory ?

sillysi

Hi,
I am in the process of having a conservatory built but i am now starting to worry because i was under the impression that i DidNT need planning permission for it and there for didnt bother. But now im starting to panic and thinking that i should of applied for it.
Did any other forum members not bother with permission ?
Could this be a major problem later in life when i go to sell the house ?

Please reply and let me no if you did or didnt so i can try and sleep again ......many thanks in advance.

economiser

Welcome to MSE.

I'm not sure of the exact details but I think it depends on the size. I think you are OK for something up to about 15 sq. metres. I think there is also some caveat about needing permission if you already have extensions of more than 30% of the original dwelling.

You can always ask the planning people and if you need permission you can apply retrospectively. I would be very suprised if they made you demolish it.

Rickycowslip

we have an extension which is more than 30% of the original house plan and therefore we needed to pay about £120 or so for permission. Odd thing though is that the conservatory company said they'd sort it yet they never provided anything to confirm this from the council - not sure how we'd provide evidence when it comes to selling... might just get back onto Coral Windows...

Marsh_Samphire

Sillysi - When we were looking at this we found that it also depends on the distance to the nearest highway. Check out:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/
and
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1106655490418.html
for the distance to a highway requirement which is 20 metres and the definitions of highway.

Rickycowslip - we fell out big time with our conservatory company because they failed to apply for planning permission after we repeatedly told them it was required (the distance to the road was only 8 metres in our case). They first said it wasn't needed at all, then said they could start building without planning permission and get it afterwards or even pull it down again! Needless to say, we did not agree and said we considered the contract cancelled. That was last summer and now they are taking us to court!!!

allycat999

We didn't get planning permission for our conservatory as didn't need it but if you have any doubts then speak to a planning officer at the council. Some conservatories do need planning permission, yes you can get retrospective planning permission but instead of worrying why not have a chat to put your mind at rest. My local council are quite strict but are easily approachable and friendly.

gardnt1

It all depends on the local council and also whether or not permitted development rights have been removed or not...........aswell as size!

Because our estate had had permitted development rights removed, we had to apply for planning permission for our conservatory no matter the size.........this was ok as there are no fees when these rights have been removed.

I am glad we went through this as a neighbour didnt and was visited by local building inspectors who were non too pleased! (not informed by me in case you were thinking!)

save-a-lot

Hi

I think if the conservatory is the type whereby it goes all the way to the ground in glass/PVC then it does not need planning permission. Whereas, if it has a dwarf wall then it does (I think).

Phil

withabix

save-a-lot wrote:

Hi

I think if the conservatory is the type whereby it goes all the way to the ground in glass/PVC then it does not need planning permission. Whereas, if it has a dwarf wall then it does (I think).

Phil

Sorry, you are wrong.

The criteria for planning permission are predominantly:

1) Over 50 cubic metre volume (including any PREVIOUS extensions to the property) requires planning permission. If there's already an extension you will probably need PP.
2) distance from boundary (<2m requires planning permission) and/or highway. Different rules for may apply for front and rear of property.
3) height of conservatory (if over 4m, requires planning)
4) planning permission required if you install permanent heating (eg radiator on central heating system)
5) planning permission required if you do not have a permanent external grade door (eg patio doors/french windows)separating the conservatory from the house - so no open arch from the next room allowed
6) planning permission required if it is to be used as a bedroom
7) planning permission required if you install any plumbing (basin, toilet etc)

The above applies to England and Wales. Not sure about Scotland, but probably similar.

save-a-lot

OK fair enough, just going off what the neighbours said

Phil

Deluks

A friend of mine recently sold her house that had a conservatory on the back which was put up by the previous owner (a builder!) He didn't bother applying for building or planning permission AND he knocked the back wall through making the conservatory a through room.
When she sold the house she had to shell out to have the removed wall bricked up and french doors fitted, which cost her about a grand! Even then she couldn't factor the conservatory into the price, so the new owner got it 'chucked-in' for free.
There's still a chance the council can ask for it to be demolished, as they were never informed when it was being built.

So better safe than sorry, ask the building department of your council, they'll tell you all you need to know...

Stompa

I seem to recall that if you have a new house that is still covered by an NHBC guarantee then you need to inform the NHBC.

Stompa