Extension is over 7 years old, wont need permission for conservatory?

longwalks1

We've had a well known, reputable building company round to look at building us a 4m square orangery, onto the back of our already extended semi detached home. They told us as the extension is over 7 years old, we wouldnt need any permission to add the orangery, is this true? I've done some searching on Google but couldnt find anything definitive, so thought I'd ask on here

Many thanks in advance

phill99

They are talking bow locks. Speak to the planning dept at your local council. Builders are very good at telling you what you want to hear. But they are not the ones who have sort the mess out when you come to sell the house.

diamond_dave

yes see my posts on the sunroom added to a new build that my dd wants to buy. Very reputable national company, did a lovely job but didn't bother getting br's so we've had to get the vendors to obtain an indemnity. The costs in getting the right permissions are negligible compared to the hassle when you come to sell the property.

longwalks1

Thanks people, I did wonder.... I know the regs were relaxed for semi's, so you can go out 6m now instead of 3m (I have done a bit of reading up) just hadnt seen anything about this other 'ruling' that I wasnt too sure about

Thanks again

shaun_from_Africa

It is generally the case that no enforcement can be taken by the council planning department more than 4 years after the relevant building work has been carried out provided that it relates to a private dwelling and no previous enforcement action has already been attempted.
However, as already mentioned, without planning permission, you may have problem if/when you try to sell in the future.

DTDfanBoy

For permitted development rights it is the original rear wall of the house that counts, so unless the existing extension is less than 2m deep you'll need to either seek planning permission or reduce the depth of the orangery to keep within 6m of the original rear wall.

Doozergirl

DTDfanBoy wrote: »

For permitted development rights it is the original rear wall of the house that counts, so unless the existing extension is less than 2m deep you'll need to either seek planning permission or reduce the depth of the orangery to keep within 6m of the original rear wall.

Yes, but even if the extension were 2 metres deep and the new extension comes to 6 metres, the local authority has to be notified and the neighbours are consulted. It's not hugely different to gaining planning permission.

Anything over 3 metres from that back wall needs paperwork.

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/17/extensions/2

Doozergirl

Your builders are ignorant, by the way.

Please tell me this 'orangerie' has a glass roof and not the insulated ones that don't meet building regs that they're so proud of.