Conservatory Regulations 2010 refers to planning permission and building regulations for conservatories.

Planning Permission for Conservatories – Conservatory Regulations 2010

Fitting a conservatory to your home is considered to be a permitted development, without the need for planning permission. This is subject to the conditions and limits shown in the screenshot below taken from the Planning Portal website (click image to enlarge).

The above permitted development allowances apply only to houses. Guidelines for maisonettes, flats and other types of buildings are here: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/flats/

Other notes on conservatory regulations 2010 are shown in the screenshot below (click image to enlarge):

Building Regulations for Conservatories- Conservatory Regulations 2010

When adding an extension to your home, building regulations will normally apply, however, conservatories are generally exempt from building regulations when:

It is also advisable to avoid locating conservatories where they could restrict ladder access to dormer windows in the roof or windows installed in loft conversions especially if they are intended as a fire escape.

New apertures that are created between conservatories and existing dwellings will mean that the conservatory will need building regulations approval.

For full details about planning permission and building regulations for conservatories, call ConservatoryLand on 0800 952 8000.

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I was interested to find this article about the proposed new building regulations for conservatories in 2010.

Here’s an extract from that article.

For conservatories, Building understands installers would self-certify their work in the way window installers certify the Part L compliance of replacement windows. The glazed areas would have to meet a maximum U-value of 2.0W/m2K, and floors and walls would need to have a maximum U-value of 0.35W/m2K.

The new proposals for next year doesn’t just affect conservatories, it also outlines some very interesting proposals for other home extensions. Read full article at: http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3140645

Obviously this would mean that every conservatory, no matter how small would have to be fitted with Low E glazing such as Pilkington K Glass and comply with all other building regulation requirements.

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The Bay-Bee, described as ‘compact conservatories’ by Eurocell was launched a few years ago now and I am surprised that they are not selling as well as they might.

According to Eurocell’s Bay-Bee brochure,

The Bay–Bee combines the very best things about a compact conservatory with an understated style and attitude that creates a buzz and gets heads turning.

Unapologetically compact, this confident design fits perfectly onto any home and enhances busy lifestyles that demand more space. It’s small enough to allow your garden to breath yet big enough to be genuinely useful.

Imagine what you could have, a dedicated dining area, a play space for the kids, or a garden room where you can sit back and enjoy the view.

I think Eurocell have presented the Bay-Bee very well but there is one major disadvantage for home owners;

The Bay-Bee is intended to be an alternative to a patio door or French doors, rather than a small, compact conservatory. Therefore, the existing internal doors that separate the house from the Bay-Bee are normally removed, consequently bringing the Bay-Bee in to the realms of building regulations.

Also, compared to DIY conservatories which are now common place in the UK, there is very little price difference between installing a Bay-Bee and installing an average size DIY conservatory.

Further, and subject to certain criteria, DIY conservatories are not normally governed by building regulations so there is far less hassle for the consumer.

A similar product is Litespace which does the same job but is a slightly different shape to the Bay-Bee, this too falls under building regulations if the separating doors are removed, which they nearly always are.

Overall, the Bay-Bee is a great luxury product that can really enhance the appearance of a home and I would personally recommend it in places where outside space is somewhat limited, although I think the small price difference compared to DIY conservatories and the building regulation issues hold it back a little.

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Firstly, let us remind ourselves exactly what the new conservatory planning permission regulations are:

From 1 October 2008 adding a conservatory to your home will be considered to be permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, subject to the following limits and conditions:

1. More than half the area of land around the “original house”* would be covered by additions or other buildings.
2. No extension forward of the principal elevation or side elevation fronting a highway.
3. No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof.
4. Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house.
5. Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres.
6. Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground floor.
7. Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres.
8. Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house.
9. Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house.
10. Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house.
11. No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
12. On designated land* no permitted development for rear extensions of more than one storey; no cladding of the exterior; no side extensions.

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.

OK – so what effect are these new regulations having on the conservatory industry?

Personally, I think they are having very little effect, I’ve not noticed any difference anyway.

My company still has a long list of pending orders where customers are awaiting planning permission approval and the list isn’t getting any shorter – it’s actually constantly getting added to.

This is probably due to the number of conservatories that still do not fall within the new planning permission exemption rules, and in particular, consumers are wanting their conservatories to exceed the permitted projection limits to be of any good use as additional living spaces.

I have heard reports from a reliable source (a major supplier) that they are suffering from a lower average order value due to consumers intentionally keeping their conservatories within the limits of the maximum permitted projection to avoid having to apply for planning permission, and therefore ordering smaller conservatories.

Personally, I have not experienced this and our average order value continues to increase with the growing demand for glass roofs and larger conservatories.

I would be interested to hear from anyone else with their comments and experiences regarding this issue.

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Here’s some useful information from a recent Eurocell news article.

Keeping pace with Building Regulations for window and door installations can be challenging. Phil Parry, Accreditations Manager at Eurocell, presents our brief guide to trouble-free compliance

For anyone choosing windows and doors for replacement projects or new-build homes or commercial properties, the raft of applicable Building Regulations and Standards can seem daunting.

It’s true that windows and doors, depending on their location and function, may have to meet strict thermal efficiency, ventilation, fire resistance, disabled access and other regulatory requirements. However, in this article, we hope to demonstrate that the regulations are nothing to fear. Simply by selecting the right products and the best-qualified fabricators and installers, customers need have no concerns about complying with current legislation.

Here’s our rough guide to Building Regulations and how to meet them…

Part L – conservation of fuel and power
This regulation relates directly to all windows and doors. It sets minimum levels for thermal transmittance – that’s the amount of heat allowed to pass through the glass and framework of a window or door – expressed as a U value. Low U values indicate the lowest levels of heat transmittance and therefore the most thermally efficient windows and doors. There are different rules for replacement and new build projects and for commercial and residential properties.

The current levels were set in April 2006. For residential properties they are:

New builds:
Window U-value – 1.8W/m²K
Window energy rating – D

Replacement windows:
Window U-value – 2.0W/m²K
Window energy rating – E

These levels are due to be reviewed in April 2010 and are expected to be tightened.

The PVC-u industry has been working hard to improve the thermal efficiency of its products – and Eurocell is leading the way. PVC-u is less conductive than steel or aluminium, making it – along with timber – the best choice framing material for thermal performance.

To enhance the inherent properties of PVC-u, Eurocell has employed sophisticated thermal modelling software to develop a profile system that balances thermal efficiency with cost effectiveness. The result is the advanced six-chambered Thermalogik profile, which offers outstanding thermal efficiency for the same price as a standard Eurocell 70mm profile. What’s more it has achieved an ‘A’ rating in the British Fenestration Rating Council’s (BFRC) certification scheme – the highest energy-efficiency rating possible.

By specifying such a thermally efficient profile for windows or doors, you are well on the way to meeting the requirements of Part L. In fact, Thermalogik is so energy efficient that, by using it in conjunction with PVC-u Thermal Inserts in other parts of the frame, fabricators can create ‘A’ rated windows using just standard float glass. That’s a window that far exceeds all the requirements of Part L.

Part F – ventilation 
Permitting an adequate air supply into buildings is essential to limit condensation and improve indoor air quality. Part F sets out background ventilation requirements for existing dwellings and new builds. The requirements depend on the type of room concerned, with different ventilation performance dictated for habitable rooms, kitchens and utility rooms and bathrooms. In practice, the regulations mean that trickle ventilators need to be fitted to all window and door profiles. Ventilator performance is measured in terms of Equivalent Area (EA), which is denoted in mm². The EA performance of any ventilator will be marked on it by the manufacturer.

The regulations do not favour one ventilator type over another, and slot, over-glass and over-frame ventilators may all comply. For replacement projects, the regulations state that ventilation in the new window must be at least as good as in the old window. Where there was no ventilation in the original window, the new ventilator should offer a minimum of 5,000mm² Equivalent Area for habitable rooms and 2,500mm² for kitchens, bathroom and utilities.

Eurocell is happy to provide more detailed advice and guidance, as well as technical information on the requirements of Part F.

Part B – means of escape in fire
This regulation states that all windows to habitable rooms above ground level must allow occupants to escape in the event of a fire. A suitable escape window is defined as one with an openable area of at least 0.33m², at least 450mm high and 450mm wide (a 450mm wide opening will need to be 735mm high). The bottom of the window opening must be no more than 1100mm above the floor. This regulation is most relevant to designers and architects, but is also important when choosing suitable replacement windows.

In certain areas of a building, fire doors may be required. These help to contain any fire and prevent it spreading into, for example, corridors which may be the means of escape for building occupants.

Part M – access for people with disabilities 
Part M of the Building Regulations requires housebuilders to construct new housing to standards that enable disabled people, particularly wheelchair users, to visit a house and have access to a ground floor living space and toilet. That means having doorways with a clear opening width of at least 775mm. Exterior doors also need to have low thresholds or incorporate low ramps to enable easy wheelchair entry. Through its EBP depots, Eurocell offers a Part M compliant aluminium ramp to help you meet regulatory requirements when fitting exterior doors.

FENSA fitters keep it simple
For householders, all of this regulation may still seem bewildering. However, the message for them is simple. Choose a FENSA-certified installer and you have nothing to worry about. FENSA (Fenestration Self Assessment scheme) certified members are approved to carry out work in accordance with all relevant regulations, without the need for inspection by the council. They inform FENSA of every installation and random inspections are carried out to ensure high standards are maintained.

Householders who do not use FENSA registered installers or who carry out the work themselves must ensure they meet all relevant regulations and must have the work inspected for Building Regulations approval.

Code for Sustainable Homes
Originally introduced as a voluntary guide for architects and designers wanting to develop sustainable buildings, the standards set out in Code for Sustainable Homes are due to become mandatory for all new homes built in the coming years.

Introduced by the Government in 2006, the Code is a rating scheme for new-build housing in England. Homes are star rated, from one to six, according to the impact they have on the environment. Six-star homes have the lowest impact, with zero net carbon emissions.

Each star rating represents a percentage improvement on the current CO² emission rates set out in Part L1A of the Building Regulations, as follows:

Star rating: Energy efficiency improvement over Part L1A

By 2016 all new homes built in England must achieve a six-star rating. Since May 2008 all new homes have been measured and given a star rating. Minimum mandatory star ratings will be introduced over the coming years:

2010 – all new homes to achieve a three-star rating (minimum)
2013 – all new homes to achieve a four-star rating (minimum)
2016 – all new homes to achieve a six-star rating (zero-carbon)

Source: http://www.eurocell.co.uk/news/index.php/2009/06/rough-guide-to-regulations

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