Glass extensions in conservation areas and national parks

Glass extensions in conservation areas and national parks can work really well for a number of reasons. But one of the main attractions for homeowners is that the large amount of glazing allows for unrivalled views from their property – perfect for houses surrounded by stunning landscape.

Aesthetically, an extension using architectural glass can look simple yet impressive. It has a light and airy appearance that creates harmony and contrast. Bespoke glass extensions can be made in any size, shape or colour, allowing for versatility to meet local planning criteria and preferences.

A fully glazed structure can also be less intrusive on its surroundings than a traditional extension such as a conservatory or garden room. Its transparent quality means it does not detract from the character of the original property or its setting within the landscape. It also minimises its impact on neighbouring properties.

However, any building work in conservation areas and national parks is subject to a specific set of rules and conditions. Both designations mean that there are limitations to what you can do to your home, to ensure the character, heritage, architecture, landscape and wildlife of the area is maintained.

Therefore, if you are planning a glass extension in a conservation area or national park, there will be certain conditions you’ll need to meet. In this article, we’ll be taking a look in detail at everything you need to know.

Conservation areas

Conservation areas are designated by local authorities because of their special architectural or historic interest. There are around 10,000 conservation areas in the UK, with hundreds across Yorkshire alone.

Designation of a conservation area recognises all the things that make it unique, and helps to preserve, enhance and manage those elements. Unlike listed status on a single building, conservation area designation combines various features that contribute to an area’s character and heritage.

Conservation areas can comprise the whole or part of villages, towns and cities; country houses and other estates; and even transport links and waterways. Our team works across the whole of Yorkshire, where there are hundreds of conservation areas. Official figures are hard to find but, as an example, there are 279 in West Yorkshire, 35 in York and 53 in the Harrogate District.

National parks

National park designation aims to conserve and enhance an area’s natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage.

National parks can contain a number of conservation areas within them. Yorkshire has two awe-inspiring national parks. In the North York Moors there are 42 designated conservation areas, while in the Yorkshire Dales there are 37.

Lone tree by a stream in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

What are the rules?

National parks and conservation areas have restrictions in place to preserve their landscape, ecology, heritage and all the other qualities that make them special and unique. Planning officers are therefore looking for designs that enhance and preserve the architecture of local buildings while reducing the impact on the built and natural environment.

If you live in a conservation area, any work undertaken to your home will need to be particularly sensitive to the local heritage and surroundings. This doesn’t mean you have to recreate what is already in place, but rather produce something that respects the area, its history and its architecture. Contemporary, innovative designs that are sympathetic to this can work just as well as more traditional ones.

An extension on a home in a conservation area should be in keeping with the appearance of the property and its wider surroundings. Its size, scale, form and positioning must not dominate the original building, and must not disturb its integrity and character. Its design should complement the style, details and materials of the existing property.

Is planning permission required?

There are more stringent rules and restrictions when considering home improvements in a conservation area or national park. Planning permission may be required for some building work and home improvements, particularly if there are any changes to the external appearance of a building or any demolition work.

The detail of the restrictions around changes to buildings can vary depending on the local authority and the kind of area in which you live but some things to consider are:

Permitted development (PD) rights

Permitted development rights are reduced in conservation areas. They may even be completely removed if there is an Article 4 direction made by the local planning authority (see below).

Single storey rear extensions of 3 metres or less (or 4 metres or less for detached homes) are permitted, but all other extensions (including side extensions and two storey extensions) require planning permission.

Article 4 direction

Permitted development rights can be removed or restricted when a local authority makes an Article 4 direction. This imposes limits on home improvements that would usually be allowed under normal permitted development rights, and means that planning consent will be needed instead.

Some of the work this applies to is listed below but, as always, it is best to double check with your local planning authority on the specific rules that apply to your area:

• Demolition of a building of more than 115 cubic metres
• Demolition of a gate, wall or fence that is over 1 metre bordering a road or over 2 metres otherwise
• Addition of a single storey extension of more than 3 metres beyond the back wall of the house or 4 metres if the house is detached
• Addition of an extension higher than one storey, or of a side extension or roof extension

Glass extensions in conservation areas

As discussed at the top of this article, glass extensions can work really well on homes in conservation areas and national parks. Not only do they allow for unrivalled views from your property but they can also fulfil many of the preferences of local planners.

In addition, planning permission is generally not needed for single storey glass extensions, although as always it is best to check with your local planning authority.

Enquiries to our Yorkshire-based team continue to rise from people living in the Yorkshire Dales or the North York Moors who are interested in a glass extension for their home. We offer and install a superb range of custom-made Solarlux Wintergardens and work with our customers from design through to completion to ensure the end result is everything they imagined.

Solarlux Wintergarden glass extensions

These premium glass extensions are a stylish, sustainable and better functioning alternative to, for example, a traditional conservatory. They offer the benefits of a bricks and mortar extension because they are thermally broken, meaning they act as a true addition to your home that you can enjoy all year round.

As thermally-broken glazing systems made only from high-quality glass, wood and aluminium, Solarlux Wintergardens can also meet the requirements of some planning authorities. They are a great option for planners that recommend an insulated garden room or sun room rather than a conservatory because of the improved thermal properties and reduction in heat loss.

There are other elements that planners tend to look for and that can be fulfilled by a Wintergarden. These include:

• A commitment to sustainability, energy efficiency and using natural resources in a responsible manner
• A sympathetic and well-informed design
• Choice and quality of materials

We’ll take a look at these elements below, but you can also read more about Wintergarden glass extensions and the benefits they offer here.

Sustainability and energy efficiency

Another element to bear in mind when adding a home extension in a conservation area or national park is its impact on the environment. Planners look favourably on structures that are energy efficient and use sustainably-sourced materials. Timber and aluminium are preferred to uPVC because of their better green credentials.

Solarlux Wintergardens meet many of the environmental criteria laid down by local planners. They retain heat efficiently and provide excellent insulation for a great thermal performance. Glass elements are available in double glazed and triple glazed options for reduced energy loss. In fact, by incorporating the Highline bi-folding door in your design, your Wintergarden can achieve very low U-values of Uw > 0.8 W/m²K and comply with Passivhaus standards.

Not only does this mean homeowners can enjoy their extension all year round, but it also helps reduce energy consumption. Ventilation and shading options provide further regulation of heat and sunlight.

Bespoke design

Every Solarlux Wintergarden is custom made to your individual design at the company’s factory in Germany. All elements of their glazing systems are designed to work perfectly together. This offers a huge amount of freedom to create a unique glass extension that fits with all your requirements.

It also offers the flexibility to design a structure that meets most planning criteria. It allows for a design that sits well with the original building and its wider environment in terms of scale, size, colour and style. Many planning authorities will welcome innovative design that is of a high quality, including contemporary aesthetics if they complement rather than jar with the surroundings. 

High-quality materials

House extension plans are scrutinised by conservation officers who are looking for use of high-quality natural materials that have been sourced in a sustainable manner.

Solarlux Wintergardens are manufactured from high-quality, sustainably-sourced materials using energy efficient processes.

Durability can also a key consideration for homeowners. Solarlux Wintergardens are built to last and come with a lifetime guarantee. Their aluminium frames ensure a strength and robustness that can withstand the harsh elements. The aluminium can even be coated in a weather resistant paint for enhanced durability.

Key features

Key features of Solarlux Wintergardens are:

• Bespoke solutions for any house or style
• Wide variety of roof shapes
• Flexible designs options for simple or complex solutions
• Roof systems combine with your choice of bi-folding door, sliding door, lift-and-slide door, cero door or traditional door
• Thermally insulated
• Choice of colours and materials
• Glass walls / doors up to 6m high and 4m wide
• Range of lighting, shading, ventilation and heating options
• Complies with wind and snow load bearing requirements
• Fully compliant with building regulations and British safety standards or equivalent

How to get started

If you are thinking of making improvements to your home and you live in a conservation area or national park, here are some tips on how to get started:

• Find out if planning permission is required. Depending on factors such as size and siting, some alterations and extensions are classed as permitted development and therefore do not need planning permission.
• Approach your local conservation officer or planning department to discuss your plans. Get as much information as possible about what they are looking for and what they would object to.
• Speak to your neighbours out of courtesy and also to gauge their expectations and preconceptions.
• Speak to our team at Solarlux by Reveal to find out more about the benefits of a Wintergarden glass extension.
• Book an appointment to visit our Wintergarden display in Leeds to get a real feel for how it looks and functions.

Please note this article gives information about why a glass extension is worth consideration if your home is in a national park or conservation area. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the rules and conditions that apply to building work on homes in conservation areas or national parks.

If you are considering any type of home improvement work within a conservation area or national park, including adding a glass extension to your property, we recommend you speak to your local planning authority about the specific criteria that apply to the area in which you live.