With house prices dropping and mortgages becoming more and more difficult to secure, families have resorted to enlarging their existing house rather than simply buying a larger house. Conservatories are the most popular type of extension for a variety of reasons. Not only are they often cheaper than some of the other alternatives, but they also create an amazingly unique room for the whole family to enjoy.
Many people think about loft conversions, however these can often work out being very expensive. You also have to sacrifice the storage space in your loft. A traditional extension may provide the extra internal space that is required; however you will also need to sacrifice outdoor space. A conservatory allows you to create additional indoor space, while creating a space which feels like it is outdoors!
Before deciding to go and add a conservatory to your property though, you will need to look at a few conditions to see if your new conservatory will require any sort of planning permission. The local council is very keen to keep control of the changes that people are making to their property and as a result have tightened up the planning requirements. The planning permissions may seem like an unnecessary step, however they are there for everyone’s benefit. It is because of this planning permission system that your next door neighbour wont be able to build a two storey house in their back garden, blocking out all the sunlight from your garden.
Even with the tightened planning regulations, only around 2 thirds of conservatories will require some sort of planning permission. Provided that your conservatory will meet all of the criteria below, then you do not need planning permission.
1) A maximum of 50% of the land around your property may be used for development.
2) The conservatory that you are planning must not face towards any public road or footpath.
3) The conservatory must not exceed a depth of 400cm if it is to be placed on a detached property.
4) The conservatory must not exceed a depth of 300cm if it is to be placed on a semi-detached property.
5) It is no taller than 4m.
6) It is no taller than half of the original building.
7) At least 50% of the wall and 75% of the roof is glazed.
8) You have an external quality door between the conservatory and house.
9) The house is not classed as a listed building.
So, provided that you can plan your conservatory around the criteria mentioned, you will avoid the need of asking for planning permission. That said, even if your conservatory does need planning permission, it doesn’t mean that you will not be able to have a conservatory added to your property.
Vale Garden Houses design and manufacture timber conservatories, orangeries and roof lights generating an additional room, or extend a pre-existing room to offer the additional wanted space. Together with conservatories, the Vale Garden Houses group also addresses conservatory furniture, bronze home windows and via VelaCici supplies bespoke bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. You can examine more ideas here.
