Does Planning Permission Apply To Solid Roof Installations?

Solid roofs are a massively popular product amongst existing conservatory owners as these lightweight tiled roof coverings have proved that they can make even some of the oldest conservatories liveable again.

You might be thinking of getting one fitted ahead of the summer to ensure the temperature inside your conservatory is just right when it’s hot outside and not the slightest bit stuffy – conservatories make for a fantastic summer space.

Something to keep in mind though when browsing our solid roof range, is that you may need to get planning permission to install a solid roof system. And there are other guidelines you must follow to stay within the rules…

• When a solid roof is going to take the place of a traditional glass or polycarbonate translucent roof, you will need to obtain Building Regulatory Approval, prior to it being fitted.
• It isn’t a given that your chosen system will receive Building Regulatory Approval. You will though have more chance of getting it passed when you use an approved system, one that has been endorsed by LABC (Local Authority Building Control) and LABSS (Local Authority Building Standards Scotland) for being a safe and suitable building product. Hazlemere offers one of the select few solid roof systems to have gained such acknowledgement. You may be instructed by the Building Control Officer to adjust the system and include roof and trickle vents for ventilation to make it conform.
• If you are removing a glass roof to make way for a solid roof, this will cause what is known as a “change of use”. This is because the addition of a solid roof turns what was a temporary extension into a permanent structure. When there is a “change of use”, planning permission is required.
• You may have had to get planning approval to enable the conservatory to be originally constructed. In these circumstances, and when the conservatory has a translucent roof, planning permission must be sought, and you must also make a full building regulations application.
• Was your conservatory built under Permitted Development Rights? If so, you wouldn’t have needed to apply for planning permission at the time as it will have met the necessary limits and conditions. Installing a solid roof will remove these Permitted Development Rights, making an application for planning permission necessary.
• Existing foundations and structures will not usually be man enough to take the weight of a solid roof, plus vast majority of existing walls, windows and doors will not be up to Building Regulation standard, and many bases will not have been fitted with insulation within the concrete. It therefore is not sensible to put a highly thermally efficient sold roof on top of products that are going to let most of the heat out and cold in. It is a far better investment to build a new living space fit for the 21st century from the bottom up.

There are two sets of people you can turn to for help if you need any advice or support regarding a solid roof installation.

The first is your local authority building control team. You can get contact details for them on the LABC website.

Your other option is to speak to Hazlemere. Our conservatory design experts know almost everything there is to know about solid roofs and the rules relating to them, plus they will provide free designs, advice and a no obligation quotation.