When is a conservatory an extension.

[bazza white]

Some of these orangeries/conservatories/summer rooms are quite impressive but what classes them as a conservatory as oppose to an extension. Brick walls solid roof how are they getting away with it. More importantly how far can I push it before regs and planning get involved.

[Equus]

bazza white said:

...what classes them as a conservatory as oppose to an extension.

link

Which says:

in order to be exempt it must:
• be at ground level
• not exceed 30m2 floor area
• be thermally separated from the building it is attached to
• have an independent heating system from the main building
• have glazing meeting Part N in critical zones.

In the interest of national consistency of interpretation, the guidance on levels of glazing contained in the superseded Approved Document
L1B 2006 still gives a valid basis for a decision. In other words an ‘exempt conservatory’ should:

• have at least 50% of external wall area formed from translucent materials (not including walls within 1 metre of boundary)
• have at least 75% of roof area formed from translucent materials
• be effectively thermally separated from the main part of the dwelling.

That's all for Building Regulations... Planning sees no difference between a conservatory and any other form of extension in terms of Permitted Development.

[PositronicRay]

Equus said:

bazza white said:

...what classes them as a conservatory as oppose to an extension.

link

Which says:

in order to be exempt it must:
• be at ground level
• not exceed 30m2 floor area
• be thermally separated from the building it is attached to
• have an independent heating system from the main building
• have glazing meeting Part N in critical zones.

In the interest of national consistency of interpretation, the guidance on levels of glazing contained in the superseded Approved Document
L1B 2006 still gives a valid basis for a decision. In other words an ‘exempt conservatory’ should:

• have at least 50% of external wall area formed from translucent materials (not including walls within 1 metre of boundary)
• have at least 75% of roof area formed from translucent materials
• be effectively thermally separated from the main part of the dwelling.

That's all for Building Regulations... Planning sees no difference between a conservatory and any other form of extension in terms of Permitted Development.

Interesting. So these companies offering to fit a solid roof on your conservatory are changing the room into an extension, where building regs apply.

[Equus]

PositronicRay said:

Interesting. So these companies offering to fit a solid roof on your conservatory are changing the room into an extension, where building regs apply.

The situation there is rather more complicated.

[Skyedriver]

Equus said:

The situation there is rather more complicated.

Interesting read.

[bazza white]

Cheers, so all those who remove the dooways between the house and conservatory are breaking regs.

[Equus]

bazza white said:

Cheers, so all those who remove the doorways between the house and conservatory are breaking regs.

Yes

[markiii]

Technically yes but no one cares once you have the certificate