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orangery planning permission application

Planning Applications

Most small orangeries or conservatories do not require planning permission and those that fall within the regulations rarely cause problems for the planners. However, most of our clients do require planning permission and or Listed Building consent, as the exemption size is quite limiting, for a typical modern orangery. 

David Salisbury offers a full planning service and will be pleased to assist with this process, resulting in applications usually being successful.

An outline of the criteria for exemption is listed below and in case of doubt it may be helpful to show your sketch designs to a planning officer. Do this informally before paying any fee or completing the application form. Any potential objections may be overcome by agreement at this formative stage. In some areas this may not be possible as planners are too busy, but it is always worth a try.

oak garden room planning
oak orangery rear extension

Unfortunately, the guidelines for exemption are not interpreted entirely consistently across the whole of the UK and varies with individual planning officer. It is often wise to apply for a certificate of exemption (although not strictly necessary) to ensure that there are no problems further down the track.

For completeness, the guidelines for exemption are listed below (not exclusively). David Salisbury’s experienced planning consultants have years of experience in all aspects of the regulations and will help advise on the best course of action even before you place an order with us.

Permitted Development Guidelines

Adding a conservatory to your house is considered to be permitted development (not needing an application for planning permission) subject to the limits and conditions listed below:

Please note: the permitted development allowances described here apply to houses not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. Where work is proposed to a Listed Building, Listed Building consent may be required.

* The term original house means the house as it was first built or as it stood on 1 July 1948 (if it was built before that date). Although you may not have built an extension to the house, a previous owner may have done so.

** Designated land includes National Parks and the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, conservation areas and World Heritage Sites.

The council has eight weeks from the date of application to give you a decision before you have the right to appeal. However, appeals can take several months to decide, and it may be quicker to reach agreement with the council.

wooden orangery planning permission
orangeries are typically designed as single story rear extensions


If it becomes clear that planning consent is going to be difficult to obtain, it may be helpful to gain support from your local councillor who sits on the planning committee so that one person at least is briefed to support your application. In addition, you would be best advised to consult an experienced heritage planning specialist, which we can arrange for you.

10 TIPS for successful planning applications

  1. Discuss your ideas informally first with the planning officer.
  2. Produce drawings/plans and photographs.
  3. Tell your neighbours so they won’t object.
  4. Look for similar extensions in your area.
  5. If you live in a Listed Building discuss your proposal with the conservation officer first.
  6. Emphasise the build quality, produce examples of David Salisbury projects; use precedent.
  7. Be prepared to compromise.
  8. Remember designs should be sympathetic and subordinate, not overpowering.
  9. Pick out features of the house and introduce them into your design.
  10. Avoid schemes that would dramatically change the historic fabric of your house

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