Planning Permission � Conservatory

[-Garry-]

Hi...

Im currently working on a conservatory project, the foundations in...just about to start the build when I noticed something on our local councils website relating to planning permission.....I had been led to believe that planning permission was not required for a consecratory however I noticed one of my councils criteria is 'the conservatory must not come within 2m of the property boundary'.....however my conservatory will be built 1m from the boundary with my neighbour.

how strict are the councils relating to this?....if I build is this gonna cause problems in the future?

thanks for any advise or past experiences you can give

Garry

[gary baldy]

I think the council's criteria is quite clear. Did you consult your neighbour?
It is unlikely that if you and your neighbour dont not fall out over it you personnally will not have a problem simply because the planners will not know.
If the planners do find out then it is likely you will have to apply for retrospective PP or they will insist you demolish it straight away.
Another problem could arise should you wish to sell your house or your neighbour wants to move and surveys are done- you could get found out then.
Personally i think this part of the law should be clarified and conservatory companies should make customers aware of such problems early on.

[-Garry-]

Hi Gary,



Thanks for you input, the neighbour is fine about it....his driveway runs adjacent to my boundary so his house is probably 4 meters from my conservatory and as we are on a hill...he is about 4 foot lower than me and separated by a fence...so he would struggle to even see it...that aside we are good mates he is even helping with the build...just a bit concerned now at this late stage that in the future if/when I move im gonna have problems :-s

thanks again

Garry

[sddsddean]

Contact your local council planning office Garry and ask them about retrospective planning permission. It shouldn't be a problem if your neighbour is Ok about it and you may not even need it. The problem is different councils have different rules. For instance, I had to get pp for my conservatory as our council allows 75 ** * of building 'free' with the house (if you see what I mean). The problem is our double garage counts as the 75 ** *. My neighbour, whose garage is integral with the house, didn't need pp as his 75 ** * hadn't been used. Irish, or what? We were even told by our council, that if we put a little brick arch over our back gate (the alley runs between the house and the garage) we wouldn't need pp either as then the garage would be physically connected to the house! However, if you do need pp, you will need the consent letter when you come to sell your house or there will be all sorts of legal problems (and solicitors making loads of money!)