Do I Need Planning Permission for a Conservatory? The 2025 UK Guide

It’s the most common question we hear from homeowners: “I’d love a new conservatory, but will I need planning permission?” The thought of lengthy applications and council red tape is enough to put many people off.

The good news is that for most conservatory projects in the UK, the answer is **no, you will not need full planning permission**. Most projects fall under what is known as “Permitted Development Rights.”

This guide will explain exactly what that means, what rules your project must follow, and when you *do* need to apply.

What Are ‘Permitted Development Rights’?

In simple terms, Permitted Development (PD) rights are a set of rules from central government that allow homeowners to make certain improvements to their homes without having to go through the full planning permission process. Conservatories, orangeries, and single-storey extensions are often covered by these rights, provided they meet a strict set of criteria.

The Key Rules for a Conservatory to be ‘Permitted Development’

For your new conservatory to be considered Permitted Development, it must follow all of the rules below. Note that these apply to houses, not flats or maisonettes.

• Position: The conservatory must be at the *rear* of the house. A conservatory on the side of a house has different, stricter rules and one at the front will always require planning permission.
• Size (1): It must not take up more than 50% of the land around your original house (your garden).
• Size (2): It must not extend more than 4 metres from the rear wall of an attached house, or 3 metres for a detached house. (These limits can be larger under a ‘Neighbour Consultation Scheme’).
• Height (1): It must not be higher than the highest point of your existing roof.
• Height (2):The eaves height (where the conservatory wall meets the roof) must not be higher than the eaves of your existing house. If the conservatory is within 2 metres of your boundary, its eaves height cannot exceed 3 metres.

The Big Confusion: Planning Permission vs. Building Regulations

This is the second-biggest hurdle for homeowners. These are two completely separate things.

• Planning Permission deals with the principle of development. It asks: “Is this structure appropriate for this location? Does it impact neighbours or the environment?”
• Building Regulations deals with the construction of the building. It asks: “Is this structure safe, energy-efficient, and accessible? Is it built correctly?”

A conservatory can be exempt from Building Regulations if it meets all of the following criteria:

1. It is built at ground level and is less than 30 square metres in floor area.
2. It is separated from the main house by external-quality walls, doors, or windows.
3. It has an independent heating system separate from the main house’s central heating.
4. All glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with their own specific building regulations.

The Big Exception: Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas

Permitted Development rights do not apply or are severely restricted if your property is:

• A Listed Building
• In a Conservation Area
• In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or National Park
• Your property has permitted development rights removed (common on modern housing estates)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)