Conservatory instead of extension

Welsh_Totster

We have planning permission to knock down existing converted garage and build larger single story extension properly. The plans take us up to the boundary line (the current arrangement us up to the boundary line too). We've had quotes to rebuild (it would contain an extension to the kitchen as knocking through and the dining area) and the quotes have been a bit more than I'm comfy paying for. Anyway my question is what constitutes a conservatory? Is it the fact it has a glass roof and shorter Walls? I ask as obviously the boundary wall will need to be all brick, if I want to extend the kitchen out into it then can the front wall be higher than the traditional conservatory dwarf wall to accommodate kitchen base units? Is it possible to put kitchen units in part of a conservatory at all? If the boundary wall is a solid one, the front wall is a but higher to accommodate kitchen units, the structure is attached to the main wall of the house (it will sit to the side of the house and go back further than the main house footprint) there will be the garden facing back wall of window and patio facing side wall of window, does that make it a conservatory? It will follow the same footprint as the extension would but would mainly be standard conservatory but with a twist. I'm rambling now so I'll stop. And advice or ideas would be great. If I can later, I'll draw a diagram and post up what I'm on about but can't at the mo cos I'm on my phone.

Ta

grimsalve

I might have mis-read your post but if you've already got planning permission for an extension then why are you considering a conservatory? Is it just to reduce costs?

Basic definition of a conservatory (for it to be exempt from building regs)...

http://www.conservatoryinfo.co.uk/buildregulations.html

"At least 50% of area that will form the external boundary / edge of the conservatory must be glazed and 75% of the roof area to be covered with either glass or polycarbonate"

If you're considering a conservatory just to save a bit of money then the problem might be that the room won't be as practical as an extension (heat build up in the summer, too cold or too expensive to keep warm in the winter, room must be demarcated from the property via an external door, etc.)

I'm not sure if this is of any help to you though, sorry.

System

the definition of a conservatory is the percentage of glass to solid walls, building on a boundary is going to be a problem, i'd imagine the neighbours might have something to say with a conservatory on the boundary!
you would need to get building standards approval also with any fixed plumbing/heating in the conservatory - but you don't really want to have a kitchen in a conservatory anyway, kitchen moisture/grease is not the friend of glazed roofs, and the massive difference in temperatures is no good for storing food...
if you want a kitchen extension get a kitchen extension, maybe get a smaller one if it's too expensive, or save some money to do it in the future, doesn't seem like a conservatory will give you anything like what you want

Welsh_Totster

You're both right, it's just not suitable the more I've thought about it and the points you both raise are very valid. I was musing really and have mused my way full circle and it's not a feasable plan. Extention it is I reckon as it fulfills the criteria needed, I just need to spend the cash! Thanks both!