Does My Neighbour Need Planning Permission To Build A Conservatory?

Question

My neighbour has just had a conservatory built, and having looked on the Planning Control Website, there’s no record of any planning application.

It has been built onto the rear of a small, one bedroom terraced bungalow. It is approximately 24ft in length. (Goes full width of property and almost up to my fence). It extends out about 8ft and height is level with existing roof level. (About 10ft).

The side to my boundary has a solid wall with about 2ft glass on top. I have already noticed loss of light coming into mine and also I am concerned about my loss of privacy.

I understand that planning regulations were relaxed recently, but surely people cannot build something so close to me without even informing me.

I cannot speak to my neighbour about this as last time I asked him politely about some work being done, I was told if I didn’t like it to move and the door slammed in my face!

I would appreciate any views on this. UK answers only please.

Thank you.

Answer 1

I'm sure it is to big to escape the need for planning consent.

Talk to your local council /councilor before it's too late.

Answer 2

just phone the council up and ask them,i need it for a small conservatory because i built extensions on my house and it exceeds something like 30 cubic meters

Answer 3

In our village planning permission is required but typically it is always granted by the parish council.

Answer 4

Either check it out with your local councellor or get in touch with the Citizens Advice Bureau for how you could go about checking into it.  

We have a conservatory next door to us that was built without planning permission....in fact we were informed the day before work started on it that it was being built!!

When they put their house up for sale a lot of people were put off due to there not being planning permission for it & the couple who ended up purchasing the house had problems if I recall, with paperwork.

We have a 5ft fence plus Leylandii hedging between us & next door so we left the hedging to grow a bit taller than usual to give us better privacy.

I would definitely check into it if I were you because if there are any rules that should have been followed I think you only have a certain length of time to put complaints in.....but don't quote me on that.  Good luck, I hope you are successful in getting something done about it. x

Answer 5

My neighbour recently needed planning permission for a temporary wheelchair ramp. I know this for an absolute fact as the council wrote to me asking if I had any objections.

I'm fairly sure your neighbour needed planning permission.

Answer 6

He slammed the door in your face? Go to the Council and your neighbours and anyone else who will listen, and complain loudly. Rest assured that if you do it will cause grief so be prepared for that. Good luck.

Answer 7

My conservatory is 17 feet by 10 (internally) and my local authority advised that no planning consent was required. Mind you, that was in the mid 1990's. However, if you phone your council they will tell you the current legislation and whether any consent is needed.

Answer 8

Guidelines for planning permission

Planning permission is not normally required if you follow these guidelines

1. A detached or semi-detached dwelling may be extended without planning permission by up to 70 cubic metres or 15% of the volume of the original house, whichever is the greater to a maximum of 115 cubic metres.

2. A terraced house or a house in a National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, a conservation area or other specially designated area may be extended up to 50 cubic metres or 10% of the volume of the original house.

3. The conservatory is used solely for domestic purposes.

4. The overall height of the conservatory must not exceed 4 metres when the conservatory is less than 2 metres from any boundary, the height of the conservatory may equal the height of the house.

5. The roof and walls are glazed with translucent or transparent materials with safety glazing at low level.

6. No part of the conservatory should be closer to the highway than the nearest part of the original house unless there would be at least 20 metres between the house and the highway.

7. The conservatory does not contain any drainage facilities. eg. sink, WC, or washing machine

8. The conservatory is sited at ground level

9. Any radiator within the conservatory is controllable. If its fixed heating then they should have their own separate temperature and on/off controls.

10. The conservatory is separated from the rest of the property by means of a door

Always consult with your local planning officer and wait for planning consent (if required) before commencing any building work, failure to follow this advice could result to your new conservatory having to be demolished

hope this helps

http://www.crystalclearideas.co.uk/

Answer 9

Phone your local authority planning office and ask them the maximum size conservatory that doesn't require planning permission. Then ask them to investigate if you think your neighbour's conservatory exceeds the relevant figure. If it needs retrospective PP you will get a notice from the LA which will give you an opportunity to submit your objections, if you so choose. It is then up to the Planning Committee to decide to grant permission, or refuse. If refused it will either have to be modified or removed as required.

Answer 10

Planning regulations have NOT recently been relaxed - the Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order has been around since 1995 and whilst there have been amendments, these have not taken into consideration new extensions.  

A terraced residential unit only has a 50 cubic metre permitted development capacity (unlike a detached or semi which has a 70 cubic metre capacity) and the majority of new dwellings (built within the last 20 years) have had this right removed.  There are other factors to take into consideration too like height (plumbing etc is rubbish that makes no difference), distance from highway and amount of curtilage that has been used up.

You must contact your local council planning enforcement team and make a complaint; it is anonymous and once you complain they have a duty to investigate.  

Whilst a conservatory is not a priority they should get round to looking at it within a month.  If you do not have the confidence to report it to the council for fear of retaliation; then contact your Parish/Town/Community Council or/and Ward Councillor (your elected member).  Failing that we can do it for you, please drop us a line at [e-mail] - (Chartered Town Planners)

Answer 11

If it is seriously bothering you, just ring up the council and explain your problem.

Answer 12

Best thing to do is to refer it to your local planning office and you would like someone to come and have a look to see if it required permission.

Answer 13

I think that you can,t build within 1metre of a boundry