Planning Permission for single-storey extensions/conservatories/orangeries

When it comes to extending the home, many homeowners will have to seek out planning approval. However, with the right know-how, you can always ensure you comply with the relevant planning permissions, which will stop you from running into difficulty later down the line.

Generally, conservatories, orangeries and other forms of single-storey extensions are exempt from planning permission as long as they abide by certain conditions. These are as follows:

No more than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.

No extension to be built forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.

No extension is to be higher than the highest part of the roof.

Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house.

Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.

Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including the ground floor.

Maximum eaves height of three metres for an extension within two metres of the boundary.

Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than the 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.

Where work is proposed to a listed building, listed building consent may be required.

This guidance was also due to expire on the 30^th of May 2019, however it has now been made permanent by the UK government.

*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.

What is the Neighbour Consultation Scheme?

If you’d like to build a larger extension, you will need to inform your local planning authority, although it’s still possible to avoid the need to acquire planning permission. However, larger extensions are subject to what is known as the Neighbour Consultation Scheme.

As part of this scheme, your neighbours will be given the chance to raise any concerns or objections to your proposed extension. The local authority will then convene to determine whether your plans can go ahead based on the concerns raised by neighbouring properties.

If you live in an attached home and your proposed extension is more than three and up to six metres in size, or you live in a detached property and the extension is more than four and up to eight metres, it must go through this process.

Get in touch

Will adding a tiled roof to a conservatory require planning permission?

After alterations were made to Building Regulations back in 2010, the likelihood of planning permission being required when changing a glass or polycarbonate conservatory roof to one that is tiled became very slim.

However, when changing to a tiled roof, a conservatory will no longer be considered a temporary structure. As it will now be considered permanent, a 'change of use' will have occurred, which might mean planning permission is required. Therefore, It is best to check with your local planning authority before changing the roof.

View our Tiled Conservatory Roofs

Planning Permission