When it comes to extending your home, there are few improvements that’ll bring such beauty and aesthetic appeal than that of a conservatory or garden room. This valuable extra space brings with it plenty of incredible benefits, such as adding a wealth of value to your home.

However, a common question for many homeowners considering a conservatory. or garden room, surrounds planning permission. How exactly do you get planning permission and will your proposals be accepted?

To better understand planning permission, it’s best to first explain it in more detail.

What is planning permission?

Planning permission generally refers to the regulations governing most building work you would have completed on your home. This can include conservatories, garden rooms, extensions and even loft conversions.

There are three circumstances you’ll likely need to apply for planning permission:

• When building something new
• When making a change to your property
• When changing the use of your property.

Conservatories and garden rooms would fall under the first point, however, fortunately there are some relaxed rules currently in place.

How can I meet planning permission?

Before government changes, all conservatories and garden rooms required planning permission. However, these buildings are now deemed as ‘permitted development’. This helps you to avoid the cost planning permission brings and ensures the whole process is a lot more straightforward.

However, if you’re interested in a conservatory or garden room for your Kent home, there are still a few stipulations to be aware of. Firstly, no more than half of your land around the original house can be built on. This includes any extension prior to you moving in.

There’s also the Neighbourhood Consultation Scheme, which ends in May, 2016. This has doubled the permissions for a conservatory’s length – now up to 8m for a detached property.

For all planning permission stipulations, take a look at the Government’s Planning Portal.

Conservatories and garden rooms for listed buildings

There are a number of listed buildings and conservation areas throughout Kent, restricting the building work that can be carried out on the property. These are enforced by local councils.

If you live in either a Kent listed building or conservation area, you’ll need to get in touch with your local planning officer, discuss your plans and seek approval. If the new design is in keeping with your property, there’s the chance the extension will be accepted.

Install your conservatory or garden room with Millhouse Landscapes

At Millhouse Landscapes we can design and install your dream conservatory or garden room, beautifully crafted to look fantastic with your home and garden.

For more information about planning permission or to find out how we can help with your Kent garden room, call now on 01732 590130.