A Guide To Planning Permission And Building Regulations In High Wycombe

We usually see a surge of interest in conservatories at this time of the year as people look to create a stylish connection between their home and garden in time for summer.

Some of these homeowners will have already set their hearts and minds on a particular conservatory style, whilst others may be relatively oblivious to the amount of choice there is in terms of design.

Speaking of being oblivious, many householders will not be aware that before a conservatory installation can progress, it must comply with planning permission guidelines and building regulations.

Planning permission is nothing you need to be concerned about if the conservatory is classed as being a “permitted development”.

What is a “permitted development”?

Conservatories are considered to be a “permitted development ” if they meet the following criteria:

• 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 1(5) 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 neighbour consultation scheme.
• 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 or be within seven metres of any boundary opposite the rear wall of the house.
• 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.
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
• On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey; no cladding of the exterior; 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 national parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

And what about building regulations?

Conservatories are normally exempt from building regulations when:

• They are built at ground level and are less than 30 square metres in floor area.
• The conservatory is separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows.
• There should be an independent heating system with separate temperature and on/off controls.
• Glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements

If you are at all uncertain about whether your proposed conservatory satisfies planning permission rules and building regulations please don’t worry about it – Hazlemere can handle this for you.

Just start the process by getting a FREE quotation from us.