Do you need planning permission for a conservatory?

Adding a conservatory is a great way to add more space to your home. But you may be wondering if you need planning permission or not.

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You don't need planning permission if your conservatory is going to be a permitted development and covers less than 50% of the area of the home or at the rear of the property.

However, you will need planning permission if your conservatory covers an area greater than 50% of the area covered by your original house. If your conservatory is positioned at the front or side of your home, you’ll often need planning permission.

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When is conservatory planning permission not required?

Now we know there are certain conditions that affect whether you need permission, let’s look at when conservatory planning permission is not required. You won’t need planning permission if your conservatory is considered as a permitted development.

You can avoid planning permission when building a conservatory if the following are met:

Your conservatory covers less than 50% of the area your home covers
Your conservatory will be located at the rear of your property
Your conservatory extends less than 6 metres from the rear of your property (or 8 metres for a detached house)
Your conservatory’s eaves are less than 3 metres if it’ll sit less than 2 metres from your property boundary
Your conservatory’s eaves are lower than the highest part of your home
Your conservatory is built to the side of your home and is less than 4 metres high, plus is narrower than half your home’s width
Your conservatory is less than 4 metres high at the back of your home

conservatory underway with planning permission

Do I need building regulations for a conservatory?

Building regulations are essential to keep you safe in your home and will usually be required for adding an extension. Conservatories, however, are often exempt from building regulations. Having said that, you do need building regulations approval for a conservatory that is:

Larger than 30 square metres
Not attached to your home
Fitted with electrical installations that don’t meet building regulations
Higher than ground level
Not fitted with a separate heating system to your home

Please note, you’ll also need building regulations approval if you’re creating a structural opening from your home to the conservatory. It’s strongly recommended that you don’t build a conservatory that prevents access by ladder to your loft in case of fire.

How much does a conservatory cost to be installed by a professional?

The cost of a conservatory will depend on a range of factors. Take a look at our conservatory cost guide for more information.

Conservatory cost guide

Building a conservatory is a great way to add space to your property and bring the outdoors into your home. In this guide we look at the average conservatory cost in the UK to help you plan your budget.

Learn more

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FAQs

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory with a tiled roof?

When you pick your ideal conservatory, you’ll need to choose the type of roof you prefer. Many conservatories have glass roofs, but a tiled roof is a great example of a solid conservatory roof.

The rules around solid roofs are a little different, but generally, they’re considered a permitted development. This means you won’t need planning permission for this style of conservatory.

Do I need building regulations for a conservatory with a tiled roof?

As with planning permission for a tiled roof conservatory, you usually won’t need building regulations approval. There are certain circumstances where regulations apply, and these are covered under our ‘do I need building regulations for a conservatory’ section.

Do I need planning permission for a conservatory if I already have an extension?

As with any conservatory, you’ll only need planning permission if your conservatory falls outside permitted development.

How big can a conservatory be without planning permission?

There are a few rules surrounding whether or not you need planning permission for your conservatory, and size is a big factor. If your home is terraced or semi-detached, you won’t need planning permission for a conservatory that is smaller than 6 metres. Alternatively, if your home is detached, your conservatory can be up to 8 metres before planning permission is needed.