As discussed in a recent blogpost, the government has made permanent its hitherto temporary relaxation of planning rules for conservatory and orangery extensions.
Removal of the need to submit a full planning application will save a homeowner over £200 in upfront fees. Also, you won’t need to wait up to 13 weeks to find out if your local authority has approved the planning application. You do, however, need to wait 42 days from the date that your local council acknowledges receipt of your Neighbour Consent application form (together with scale plans of the extension). The council will inform your neighbours of your plans, giving them a chance to object.
Planning rules have been eased – not eliminated! Here is a summary of the conditions and size limits that enable a new conservatory or orangery to count as a Permitted Development, thus not requiring a full planning application:
No more than half the area of land around the original house can be covered by additions or other buildings. ‘Original house’ means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1st July 1948 if it was built before that date.
No extension can be forward of the principal elevation or side elevation that fronts a highway.
Single-storey rear extensions must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than eight metres if it is a detached house; or more than six metres for any other house. If the house is in Article 2(3) designated land* or a Site of Special Scientific Interest, then this limit is reduced to four metres for a detached house; or three metres for any other house. These limits are subject to the Neighbour Consultation Scheme. This requires that the relevant Local Planning Authority is informed of the proposed work via a prior approval application. This can be blocked if any one adjoining neighbour objects, and/or your local authority refuses permission on planning grounds.
Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
Maximum eaves height of an extension that will be within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
Maximum eaves and ridge height of the extension is no higher than those of the existing house.
Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width of no more than half that of the original house.
Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than three metres or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house.
Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match the existing house.
No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
On Article 2(3) designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
On Article 2(3) designated land* no cladding of the exterior.
On Article 2(3) designated land* no side extensions.
* Article 2(3) designated land is land within:
a conservation area; or
an area of outstanding natural beauty; or
an area specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of enhancement and protection of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside; or
the Broads; or
a National Park; or
a World Heritage Site
Confused?
If you are uncertain whether the extension you want will require planning permission (and / or building control consents), Admiral Windows Oxford will be happy to advise as part of our quotation process. If planning permission or other consents are required, we will take care of the bureaucracy on your behalf. We will only commence work once the relevant permissions are in place.
To get the ball rolling, all you need to do is call our friendly team on 01865 788333 – or drop into our conservatory show-site at Chilton Garden Centre where you can see a variety of conservatory and orangery designs. The Admiral show-site is open between 11AM and 4 PM at weekends and between 12PM and 4PM during the week.
