Do you need planning permission for a glass extension?

Our team of experienced designers and installers are here to help customers with all aspects of choosing their glass extensions, wintergardens and glass rooms, and this includes giving advice on whether planning permission is needed.

Planning permission is usually required for any major changes to your property or for any new builds. Before starting any work on your home, it’s always worth checking if you need planning permission as failure to obtain it if it’s required can result in an enforcement notice that requires all work to be undone.

However, it is pretty safe to say that, in general, planning permission for a glass extension, wintergarden or glass room to your home will not be required. This is because this type of work is generally classed as a permitted development.

However, there are certain limitations to what you can do and conditions that must be fulfilled to meet planning regulations. Some of the key ones are laid out below but, again, our team can offer advice and more details. It may also be useful to check out the planning page of your local government website or visit the Planning Portal website to read the full list of criteria for permitted developments.

Planning permission for a glass extension

Criteria for glass extensions, Wintergardens and glass rooms

• The glass extension should not take up more than half the area of land around the ‘original house’ (defined as the house as it was first built, or as it stood on 1 July, 1948).
• The glass extension should not be higher than the highest part of the roof
• The glass extension should not be more than four metres in height
• The glass extension must not extend beyond the rear wall of the ‘original house’ by more than eight metres for a detached house or six metres for any other house
• The materials used for the glass extension must be similar in appearance to the existing home
• If the house is an area where an Article 4 Direction limits permitted development rights, planning permission will be required. This often includes conservation areas and listed buildings

Neighbour consultation scheme for glass extensions, Wintergardens and glass rooms

If you are planning to install a glass extension that is between four and eight metres for detached houses and between three and six metres for all other houses, it may be subject to a Neighbour Consultation Scheme. This requires submission of your plans to your local authority, who will then give your neighbours the opportunity to raise any concerns or objections to your plans.

Depending on the feedback received, the local authority may then ask you to amend your plans accordingly if they agree with what your neighbours have said.

Building regulations

Although you do not need planning permission for a glass extension, wintergarden or glass room, bear in mind that you still need to ensure that all work complies with building regulations.

Building regulations determine whether a new structure meets certain health and safety standards in its design and construction. They also ensure that criteria are met in areas of sustainability and accessibility.

The installation of a glass extension is generally required to conform with building regulations, and here at Solarlux by Reveal we have decades of experience working alongside clients and other contractors to ensure that all our work is carried out to British standards and in compliance with all building regulations.