Updated 2019

Detached properties and the 4 metre Planning Permission rule.

Is it fair that detached properties are only allowed conservatories of up to 4 metres in length before Planning Permission is required?

I am a strong believer in that neighbours should have protection in terms of natural daylight and over development, but the blanket 4 metre rule on detached properties still seems a little draconian to me. Surely there should be some sort of sliding scale or rule where it would depend on how far away from the boundary a new conservatory is to be positioned.

If a new conservatory is positioned say, a minimum of 3 meters away from the nearest neighbour, then surely this will not affect the neighbours daylight or have an over-bearing affect on the neighbours land, in fact, this may positively encourage homeowners to place their conservatories away from the boundary so they would be able to have a longer conservatory.

If you need advice in regards to conservatory planning permission then we would recommend www.conservatoryplanning.org.uk

Most detached properties will have enough room for the homeowner to reasonably decide where a conservatory should be positioned. I don’t see why they should be lumped in together under the same planning rules, as people who live in semi-detached or terraced properties and don’t have the space to decide where a conservatory should be positioned.

The above comments are just my opinion and should be taken as such. Thanks.