Conservatories

If you want to add a conservatory to a house, then this falls within the same set of planning rules as any other home extension. Read detailed information about extensions on the extensions page.¹

These rules, known as ‘permitted development’ rights, allow you to extend a house without needing to apply for planning permission if specific limitations and conditions are met.

If you want to exceed these, then it is likely that an application for householder planning permission will be required.

If the work adds over 100 square metres of floor space, it may also be liable for a charge under the Community Infrastructure Levy².

If you are unsure, you are advised to contact your Local Planning Authority for guidance before starting any work.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

Please note:

These rules apply in the context of the proposed extension and any previous extensions (i.e. the ‘total enlargement’).

These rules apply to houses only and not to:

• Flats and maisonettes (view our guidance on flats and maisonettes³).
• Converted houses or houses created through the ‘permitted development’ rights for:
  • ‘Changes of use’ (Schedule 2, Part 3, Classes G; M; MA; N; P; PA and Q) (as detailed in our change of use section⁴)
  • ‘New Dwellinghouses’ (Schedule 2, Part 20).
• Other buildings.
• Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits or removes ‘permitted development’ rights.

Further information

These rules summarise the text of Schedule 2, Part A, Class A of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015⁵ (as amended⁶).

Detailed advice on complying with these rules, illustrative examples and further explanations of the terminology used is provided by government in the ‘Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance⁷’.

You are strongly advised to read this guidance to help understand how permitted development rules apply to the specific circumstances of any proposal.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/extensions/planning-permission
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/policy-and-legislation/CIL
3. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/flats-and-maisonettes
4. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/change-of-use
5. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/contents
6. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/affected/uksi/2015/596
7. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance