What You Need To Know About Planning Permission

Some people aren’t aware of the possibility that planning permission needs to be obtained before the building of a conservatory or orangery at their home can go ahead.

It’s one of the first things we advise to any aspiring home extension buyer as commencing without planning permission can have all sorts of future implications. Bon Accord Glass wouldn’t let any of these implications come to fruition though as we know the importance of planning permission.

The first thing to know is that if the proposed conservatory or orangery design has “permitted development rights” an application for planning permission will not need to be made as it automatically satisfies planning laws.

Most new extensions are classified as being a “permitted development” as size limits for single-storey rear extensions have been relaxed until 30^th May 2019 in response to Britain’s need to get building.

For a conservatory to orangery to enjoy Permitted Development Rights, all of these limits and conditions MUST be met.

• No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
• No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
• Single-storey rear extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres if an attached house or by four metres if a detached house.
• In addition, outside Article 2(3) designated land* and Sites of Special Scientific Interest the limit is increased to 6m if an attached house and 8m if a detached house until 30 May 2019.
• These increased limits (between 3m and 6m and between 4m and 8m respectively) are subject to the prior notification of the proposal to the Local Planning Authority and the implementation of a neighbour consultation scheme. If objections are received, the proposal might not be allowed.
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
• Extensions of more than one storey must not extend beyond the rear wall of the original house* by more than three metres.
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
• Two-storey extensions no closer than seven metres to rear boundary.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
• Materials to be similar in appearance to the existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• Upper-floor, side-facing windows to be obscure-glazed; any opening to be 1.7m above the floor.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey.
• On designated land no cladding of the exterior.
• On designated land no side extensions.

* The term “original house” means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

* Designated land includes conservation areas, national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and World Heritage Sites.

What do I do if my new extension isn’t a permitted development?

A planning application detailing everything relating to the intended design will need to be submitted to your local planning department. They will look at the plans and within 8-13 weeks send you a written reply confirming whether they’re happy or not for the extension to be constructed.

Planning is a pain, so leave it to Bon Accord Glass to sort out.

Bon Accord Glass regularly organises planning permission on behalf of its customers so they can concentrate on other things.

You can find more invaluable advice about Planning Permission in the downloadable document on our Helpful Guides page.