Conservatory planning permission and consent requirements

You’ve got your quotations and seen the plans - but have you considered the necessary permissions and consents you’ll need?

Conservatories, despite being of less substantial construction than the rest of your property, still have much the same restrictions when it comes to planning and building control regulations. 

Not to mention invoking the need for the relevant consents from any parties that hold restrictive covenants on your title. All of these will be requested if you ever come to sell your property, so it pays to be prepared.

The three main elements to consider when deciding to construct a conservatory are:

1. Planning permission

Does your construction exceed the specified size so as to require planning permission? For more information visit here.

2. Building regulations

A conservatory built with a floor area not exceeding 30 metres squared is usually exempt from requiring a building regulation completion certificate as long as:

• The conservatory is separated from the building by external quality doors, windows and walls
• Any glazing and electrical installations within the conservatory have all received the necessary building regulations certificates

3. Restrictive covenant consent

Usually found in the register of title to your property, most properties in England and Wales contain covenants on their title that restrict the use of the property and what can be done with or to it. 

A commonly found covenant is restricting the use of extensions or additions to a property without the consent of the grantor of the covenant. 

For more information on who to apply to in this instance, you will need to refer to your title deeds and possibly your solicitor for further guidance.

So to avoid any costly indemnity policies when you come to sell your property, ensure you have all the necessary consents and certificates.

Contact our team of local solicitors today

We have solicitors in London, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings and Uckfield, and we work with clients across the UK.