The very first thing to establish is whether what you are building actually is a conservatory.
There is no definition in the Regulations of exactly what constitutes a conservatory. This can make it hard to judge whether what is built will be be regarded by your Local Authority as a conservatory or an extension.
This is crucial as as extension usually requires planning consent and is subject to greater building regulation requirements, while a conservatory usually does not require planning consent and the building regulation requirements are much more relaxed.
Conveyancers are good at asking questions about the planning and building regulation consent history behind conservatories forming part of properties being purchased, but less attentive to analysing and applying the answers received.
Below are some general questions ( with guidance on how to treat the answers) which may help. They are not definitive and you should always when considering these matters have reference to the Planning Portal.
Was planning permission required?
Is there a wall within the existing external dwelling which
exists between the dwelling and the newly constructed conservatory? If there is
not then the general rule is that the work will be viewed as an extension and
planning permission would be required.
Was building regulation approval required?
Is it built at ground level? If not and is more than a single storey in
height then building regulation approval would be required.
Does it have a floor area of less than 30 square meters i.e.
the same as a parking space for a car?
If it is more, then building regulation would be required.
Does the glazing comply with Part N of the building regulations? If not then building re building regulation would
be required.
Does the electrical work have its own ring main, or is
extended from an existing room classed as a special location, such as a
kitchen? If so it must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which
deals with electrical safety. If not then building regulation approval would be
required.
Does it have an independent heating system with separate
temperature and on/off controls? If not then building regulations would be
required.
Is there a new opening within the existing dwelling which
creates access into the new conservatory if so then this will require building regulation
approval?
It is important to note that even if building regulation
approval is not required for the conservatory construction the glazing and the electrical
work would still need separate consents.
Keep also in mind that if you are acting for a purchaser and
have concerns about consents it is important to check the detailed requirements
which you can find on the Planning Portal: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/conservatories/
Care must be taken because if a problem subsequently emerges
then enforcement action can be taken by the Local Authority, which could result
in the demolition of the extension.
MJP conveyancing are solicitors who provide legal advice and services to clients based in England and Wales and who can be contacted on 01603877000 or via email at davidpett@m-j-p.co.uk
