If you own a listed building or your property is in a conservation area, it’s likely that you will need planning permission. Below are all of the main types of conservatories and conservatory extensions, as well as orangeries, with their design features, planning considerations and requirements:
Conservatory Style | Typical Aesthetic | Planning & Building Regs |
Lean-to | Modern, simple, single-sloping roof. Best for bungalows or tight spaces. | Permitted Development: Usually exempt if depth is <3m (semi) or <4m (detached). |
Victorian | Traditional, ornate, with a curved “bay” front (3 or 5 facets). | Height Alert: Pitched roof must not exceed 4m total height or house roof ridge. |
Edwardian | Classic, elegant, square/rectangular floor plan for max floor space. | Boundary Rule: If within 2m of a boundary, eaves height must be <3m. |
Gable-End | Grand, high-vaulted front that mirrors a house gable. | Visual Impact: Often requires careful matching of materials to the original house. |
P-Shape | Large hybrid (Lean-to + Victorian/Edwardian). Creates two rooms. | Land Coverage: Must not cover >50% of the land around the “original house.” |
Orangery | Luxury hybrid; more brickwork/masonry and a “lantern” roof. | Building Regs: Often required due to increased structural masonry and weight. |
Bespoke | Choose from different design styles that perfectly match your home and allow you to combine aspects that you want for your conservatory or extension. | Size Dependent: Your conservatory or extension should still fall under permitted development unless you construct a large conservatory. Then you will likely need |
We are one of the leading designers and installers of conservatories in Essex. We will work with you to design the conservatory that suits you and your property, and then handle all of the installation and planning process. Whether you need guidance on the design or have a design in mind, we have you covered. Get in touch with our team to arrange for your free quote.
Your Budget & Style You Want to Achieve
Your budget is going to be the most important part of the project and design process, as it will affect everything that you can do in terms of style and the size of the conservatory that you are going to be able to install. You should include around a 5 to 10% wiggle room on your budget for anything else that’s needed, and we can work with you around your budget and what is realistic. If you want a particular style and size, then we can also suggest the budget that you will need to consider, and then we can decide on any changes if you need to reach a smaller budget or upgrades if you are well within your required budget. We will always give you an accurate estimate of the cost of the project before proceeding with your project, at the free quotation stage.
Benefits
Conservatories and particularly extensions increase your overall property value instantly, because you are expanding the overall living space in your property. This is the most direct and effective way to increase overall property value. You are also making a new room in your home with an extension, and you can also move a living room into a conservatory, for example, to then create an additional bedroom. Conservatory extensions are now very popular for open-plan kitchen areas, but have a wide range of different uses. For a good indication of how much your house will increase by, you can find similar houses in your area with an extension, and this will give you a guide price.
Planning Considerations
You have several planning considerations, and we will always have to comply with building regulations. These ensure that the structure is safe and meets efficiency guidelines. Planning permission depends on a number of factors. Most of the time, your conservatory will fall under permitted development.
50% Rule – you cannot cover more than half the area around the original house with an extension or outbuildings.
Facing Roads – you cannot build a conservatory forward of the front of the house or side elevation that faces a road.
Independent Heating – if avoiding some building regulations.
Open Plan – if the conservatory or extension is open plan, then you will always require building regulation approval.
Design Guidance
It’s best to consult the styles that you like and look at examples that are available. We will also provide you with examples of the different styles available and proposed designs. The style depends on your property and what you are looking to achieve. We can also advise you on the best style choices if you need some inspiration. We can also design and install a bespoke conservatory if you want a unique conservatory or a combination of styles.