In England, land in a National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Broads or a World Heritage Site is Article 2(3) land, where Class A permitted development does not allow an enlargement to extend beyond a side wall of the original house or to be more than one storey and extend beyond the rear wall, so a side conservatory needs planning permission, and the larger single-storey rear extension prior approval route is not available.

What Article 2(3) land means

The Planning Portal defines Article 2(3) designated land as land within a conservation area, an area of outstanding natural beauty, an area specified by the Secretary of State for the enhancement and protection of the natural beauty and amenity of the countryside, the Broads, a National Park or a World Heritage Site. The label matters because the permitted development rights for a house extension, which include most conservatories, carry extra restrictions there. These rules apply in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own permitted development orders, covered in the guides to conservatories in Wales and conservatories in Scotland.

No side conservatory as permitted development

Paragraph A.2 of Class A sets additional limits for a house on Article 2(3) land. Under the GOV.UK technical guidance, development is not permitted by Class A if the enlarged part of the house would extend beyond a wall forming a side elevation of the original house. The Planning Portal states the practical result: on Article 2(3) designated land all side extensions require householder planning permission. A conservatory built beside a house therefore needs an application even where the same structure would be permitted development outside these areas.

Rear conservatories on designated land

The basic single-storey rear limits apply everywhere in England: an extension cannot extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by more than four metres for a detached house, or three metres for any other house, and cannot exceed four metres in height. The Planning Portal explains that the larger limits of eight metres for a detached house and six metres for any other, subject to prior approval, apply only where the house is not on Article 2(3) designated land or a Site of Special Scientific Interest. A rear conservatory on Article 2(3) land is therefore capped at the four or three metre limits unless full planning permission is granted. The same source notes that the rules count the proposed extension together with any previous extensions, the “total enlargement”. The guide to larger single-storey rear extensions explains the prior approval route that is unavailable here.

More than one storey and cladding

The GOV.UK technical guidance says that on Article 2(3) land an extension from a rear wall is not permitted development if it results in an enlarged part of the house with more than one storey, and the Planning Portal says all rear extensions of more than one storey need householder planning permission there. Cladding is the other trap. Under paragraph A.2, cladding any part of the exterior of the house with stone, artificial stone, pebble dash, render, timber, plastic or tiles is not permitted development on this land, whether the wall is original or new.

Materials and other Class A limits

The ordinary conditions still apply. The technical guidance states the materials condition, requiring exterior work to be of similar appearance to the existing house, and it excludes materials used in the construction of a conservatory. The Planning Portal also lists limits that apply everywhere, including that extensions cannot be higher than the highest part of the existing roof, that eaves height cannot exceed three metres within two metres of a boundary, and that only half of the land around the original house can be covered by extensions and other buildings., as explained in the guide to the 50% garden rule. Conservation areas are also Article 2(3) land, so the guide to conservatories in conservation areas and on listed buildings is relevant to houses in those locations.

FAQs

Can I build a side conservatory in a National Park in England?

Not as permitted development. The Planning Portal states that on Article 2(3) designated land all side extensions require householder planning permission.

Does the eight metre prior approval route apply in an AONB?

No. The Planning Portal says the larger single-storey rear extension limits apply only where the house is not on Article 2(3) designated land or a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Are conservation areas covered too?

Yes. They are part of the Article 2(3) definition on the Planning Portal, and separate consent rules can apply to listed buildings.

Do the same rules apply in Wales or Scotland?

No. This guide covers England; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate permitted development rules.

The bottom line

In England, a conservatory on Article 2(3) land, meaning National Parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, the Broads, World Heritage Sites and conservation areas, cannot extend beyond a side wall as permitted development, is limited to the four or three metre rear limit without the prior approval route, and cannot include cladding in stone, render, timber, plastic or tiles. Checking designation early avoids a design that needs full planning permission. This is general information, not planning advice; confirm the position with the local planning authority.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Planning Portal, “Planning permission for extensions”
• GOV.UK, “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England Class D of Part 1 permits a porch outside any external door of a house if its external ground area is no more than 3 square metres, no part is over 3 metres high and no part is within 2 metres of a boundary with a highway, whereas a conservatory is normally assessed as an enlargement under Class A, which is not permitted beyond a wall forming the principal elevation.

Two classes, two rulebooks

Homeowners sometimes ask whether a glazed structure at the front door is a porch or a conservatory. The distinction matters because the permitted development rules for England, in Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, treat them differently. GOV.UK’s technical guidance explains that Class A covers enlargement, improvement or alteration of a house, such as rear or side extensions, and Class D covers the erection of a porch outside an external door. This guide covers England; the position in Wales and other nations differs, and the Planning Portal notes that its guidance relates to England.

What Class D allows

Class D permits the erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse. Paragraph D.1 says development is not permitted if:

• the ground area, measured externally, would exceed 3 square metres;
• any part would be more than 3 metres above ground level;
• any part would be within 2 metres of any boundary of the curtilage that adjoins a highway;
• the house was granted use as a dwellinghouse only by virtue of certain Part 3 change-of-use classes, or was built under Part 20 (new dwellinghouses).

The Planning Portal adds that the allowances apply to houses and not to flats and maisonettes, and that a planning condition, an Article 4 direction or another restriction may remove them. Our guide to Article 4 directions explains how that works.

Why a front conservatory is different

A conservatory that extends the house is normally assessed under Class A. Paragraph A.1(e) says development is not permitted if the enlarged part would extend beyond a wall that forms the principal elevation of the original house, or that fronts a highway and forms a side elevation. GOV.UK’s technical guidance describes the principal elevation as usually the front of the house, and only one elevation is the principal elevation. A conservatory at the front is therefore generally outside Class A, while a porch within the Class D limits is a separate right. Class A also bars a raised platform, as our guide to the 0.3 metre rule sets out. The general rules for extensions are explained in our guide to permitted development and conservatories.

What if the porch is too big

A structure that exceeds a Class D limit does not benefit from Class D. A large glazed entrance structure at the front that also lies beyond the principal elevation cannot rely on Class A either, so it would need planning permission unless another right applies. Our guide to householder applications describes the process, and a lawful development certificate can confirm a scheme that is within the rules, as explained in lawful development certificates.

Building regulations for a porch

Planning permission and building regulations are separate. The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 2, Class 7 exempts the addition at ground level of a conservatory or porch with a floor area not exceeding 30 square metres, provided any glazing satisfies the stated requirements. The Planning Portal says a porch at ground level and under 30 square metres is normally exempt, provided glazing and fixed electrical installations comply, the front entrance door between the house and the porch remains in place, and, where the house has ramped or level access for disabled people, the porch does not adversely affect it. It stresses that the 3 square metre planning limit is separate from the 30 square metre building regulations limit. Glazing is discussed in our guide to safety glazing.

FAQs

How big can a porch be under permitted development in England?

Class D limits a porch to 3 square metres of external ground area, 3 metres in height and a position no closer than 2 metres to a boundary that adjoins a highway.

Can I build a conservatory at the front of my house without planning permission?

Class A does not permit an enlarged part to extend beyond a wall forming the principal elevation of the original house, so a front conservatory generally needs planning permission unless another right applies.

Does the 3 square metre porch limit apply to building regulations?

The Planning Portal says the 3 square metre planning limit is separate from the 30 square metre limit in the building regulations exemption.

Do these rules apply to flats?

The Planning Portal says the porch allowances apply to houses and not to flats and maisonettes.

The bottom line

A porch and a conservatory are judged under different classes in England: Class D allows a small porch of up to 3 square metres and 3 metres in height that is at least 2 metres from a highway boundary, while a conservatory that extends the house is tested under Class A, which does not permit enlargement beyond the principal elevation. Building regulations are separate again, with a 30 square metre exemption for both. This is general information, not planning advice; confirm the position with the local planning authority.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1: Development within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse”
• GOV.UK, “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance”
• Planning Portal, “Porches: Planning permission”
• Planning Portal, “Porches: Building regulations”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 2: Exempt buildings and work”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England the Class 7 building regulations exemption for a conservatory of up to 30 square metres applies only if any glazing satisfies Part K, and requirement K4 says glazing in locations where people are likely to come into contact with it must break safely, resist impact or be shielded; Approved Document K (2013 edition) explains how.

Why glazing is a condition of the exemption

Our guide to the Class 7 exemption explains that a ground-level conservatory of up to 30 square metres is exempt from the Building Regulations if certain conditions are met. Schedule 2 to the Building Regulations 2010 adds that, where a conservatory or porch is wholly or partly glazed, the glazing must satisfy the requirements of Part K4, K5.1, K5.2, K5.3 and K5.4 of Schedule 1. For Wales the legislation refers to Part N instead, which our guide to Wales building regulations covers. The Planning Portal likewise says a conservatory is normally exempt when its glazing and fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable requirements. This guide covers England.

What requirement K4 says

Requirement K4 in Schedule 1 says glazing with which people are likely to come into contact while moving in or about a building shall, if broken on impact, break in a way unlikely to cause injury, or resist impact without breaking, or be shielded or protected from impact. Approved Document K, the 2013 edition for use in England, gives guidance on meeting it. GOV.UK notes that this edition combined the former Approved Document N on glazing into Approved Document K. The document is guidance, and it says there is no obligation to follow it if another route to compliance is shown.

Requirements that do not apply to dwellings

The approved document sets out four further requirements, K5.1 to K5.4, covering collision with open windows, marking of large glazed areas, safe opening and closing, and safe cleaning access. Each carries a limit on application: K5.1, K5.2 and K5.3 do not apply to dwellings, and K5.4 does not apply to dwellings or to elements not intended to be cleaned. The K4 section in the approved document carries no such exclusion, so the impact requirement is the one most relevant to an extension of a house.

Critical locations

Approved Document K says the risk of cutting and piercing injury is greatest for glazing in doors and door side panels and at low level in walls and partitions, where children are especially vulnerable. Diagram 5.1 shades the critical locations in windows and in doors and their side panels, using dimensions of 300mm, 800mm and 1500mm measured from floor level. In a conservatory, glazed doors, side panels and low-level glazing are the elements to check against the diagram.

The routes to compliance

Paragraph 5.2 lets a designer comply in critical locations in one of three ways.

• Safe breakage: glazing that satisfies Class 3 of BS EN 12600 or Class C of BS 6206. In a door or door side panel with a pane width over 900mm, Class 2 of BS EN 12600 or Class B of BS 6206 is acceptable.
• Robustness or small panes: glazing that is robust, for example thick annealed glass or inherently strong material such as polycarbonate, or small panes. A small pane is an isolated pane or one held in glazing bars, with a maximum width of 250mm and an area not exceeding 0.5 square metres, and annealed glass in small panes should be at least 6mm nominal thickness, or 4mm in traditional leaded or copper lights where fire resistance is not important.
• Permanent protection: a permanent screen that prevents a 75mm sphere from touching the glazing and is robust.

What to ask the installer

A buyer can ask the installer to identify each pane in a critical location, state which route to compliance is used and supply the product marking or test class for the glass. The broader glazing choices, such as U-values and solar control, are covered in our guide to conservatory glazing, and door security in conservatory doors and security.

FAQs

Is safety glass a condition of the Class 7 exemption in England?

Schedule 2 to the Building Regulations 2010 makes the exemption for a glazed conservatory conditional on the glazing satisfying Part K requirements, and K4 covers impact safety.

Which British Standard classes does Approved Document K accept?

Class 3 of BS EN 12600 or Class C of BS 6206, and for a door or side panel with a pane width over 900mm, Class 2 of BS EN 12600 or Class B of BS 6206.

Does the same approved document apply in Wales?

No. The legislation refers to Part N for Wales, and Approved Document K (2013 edition) is stated to be for use in England.

Can a permanent screen replace safety glass?

Approved Document K says glazing protected by a permanent screen that meets its conditions does not itself need to comply with K4.

The bottom line

In England, glazing in a conservatory that relies on the Class 7 exemption must still meet Part K, and the impact requirement K4 is the one that applies to dwellings. Approved Document K allows safe-breakage glass, robust or small panes, or a permanent screen in the critical locations shown in its Diagram 5.1. Checking each pane against those zones and standards at the design stage avoids a later dispute over whether the exemption applies. This is general information, not building control advice; confirm the position with the local authority or a registered approver.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Approved Document K: protection from falling, collision and impact (2013 edition for use in England)”
• GOV.UK, “Protection from falling, collision and impact: Approved Document K”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 2: Exempt buildings and work”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 1: Requirements”
• Planning Portal, “Conservatories: Building regulations”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England and Wales, the Limitation Act 1980 says an action founded on simple contract or tort shall not be brought after six years from when the cause of action accrued, with later starts for some latent negligence claims; in Scotland, obligations are extinguished after five years without a relevant claim.

Why the clock matters for a conservatory claim

Defects such as leaks can appear years after installation, and a claim can be barred if court proceedings are not started in time. This guide covers England and Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland is not covered.

England and Wales: the basic periods

Section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980 says an action founded on simple contract shall not be brought after six years from the date on which the cause of action accrued. Section 2 sets the same six-year period for an action founded on tort. Under section 8, an action upon a specialty, which covers a contract made as a deed, is subject to twelve years from accrual. These sections apply to England and Wales, and legislation.gov.uk records them as up to date on 23 September 2026. A claim against an installer for breach of the installation contract will usually rely on the simple contract period, so the question is when the cause of action accrued.

England and Wales: latent damage in negligence

Section 14A applies to actions for damages for negligence, other than personal injury claims, where the facts relevant to the claim were not known when the cause of action accrued. It provides that the action cannot be brought after the later of six years from accrual or three years from the “starting date”, the earliest date the claimant had both the knowledge required to bring an action and the right to bring it. That knowledge covers the material facts about the damage, its attribution to the alleged negligence and the defendant’s identity. Section 14B adds a separate long-stop: an action for damages for negligence cannot be brought after fifteen years from the act or omission alleged to be negligent, even if the cause of action has not yet accrued.

England and Wales: concealment and mistake

Section 32 postpones the start of a limitation period where the action is based on fraud, a fact relevant to the claim has been deliberately concealed by the defendant, or the action is for relief from mistake. The period does not begin until the claimant has discovered the fraud, concealment or mistake or could with reasonable diligence have discovered it. Section 32(2) says a deliberate breach of duty in circumstances in which it is unlikely to be discovered for some time amounts to deliberate concealment.

Scotland: prescription

Under section 6 of the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, if an obligation to which the section applies has subsisted for a continuous period of five years without a relevant claim having been made and without being relevantly acknowledged, it is extinguished. Section 6(4) excludes periods in which the creditor failed to claim because of the debtor’s fraud or induced error. Section 11 provides that an obligation to pay damages for loss caused by an act or omission is regarded as becoming enforceable when the loss occurred or, if the creditor could not with reasonable diligence have known of the loss, its cause and the person responsible, on the later date when they did or could have. Section 7 sets a separate twenty-year period of extinction for obligations to which it applies.

Starting a claim in time

The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct says it does not alter statutory time limits, and that a claim issued after the limitation period has expired can be met with a limitation defence. It adds that where proceedings are started to meet a time limit before the pre-action steps are complete, the parties should ask the court for a stay while they comply. The stages of a claim in England and Wales are set out in our guide to making a county court claim, and the consumer routes that come earlier are in resolving a dispute without court.

FAQs

How long do I have to sue a conservatory installer in England and Wales?

Section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980 sets six years from when the cause of action accrued for an action founded on simple contract, and section 2 sets six years for tort.

What if I only discovered the defect years later?

Section 14A can allow a negligence claim within three years of the claimant having the required knowledge, subject to the fifteen-year long-stop in section 14B.

Is the rule the same in Scotland?

No. The Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 extinguishes obligations after five years without a relevant claim under section 6, with a twenty-year period under section 7.

Does writing a letter of complaint stop the time limit?

The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct says it does not alter statutory time limits for starting proceedings.

The bottom line

In England and Wales the starting point for a conservatory claim is six years from when the cause of action accrued, with later starts and long-stops for some negligence claims and for concealment. In Scotland the base period is five years under prescription rules. Complaint letters and pre-action steps do not extend these periods, so anyone with a live dispute should check the dates early and take legal advice on the accrual date. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “Limitation Act 1980, section 5: Time limit for actions founded on simple contract”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Limitation Act 1980, section 14A: Special time limit for negligence actions where facts relevant to cause of action are not known at date of accrual”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Limitation Act 1980, section 14B: Overriding time limit for negligence actions not involving personal injuries”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Limitation Act 1980, section 32: Postponement of limitation period in case of fraud, concealment or mistake”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, section 6: Extinction of obligations by prescriptive periods of five years”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, section 11: Obligations to pay damages”
• Ministry of Justice, “Practice Direction: Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 says that where a debtor under a qualifying debtor-creditor-supplier agreement has a claim against the supplier for misrepresentation or breach of contract, the debtor has a like claim against the creditor, and the creditor and supplier are jointly and severally liable; the section extends across the United Kingdom, but excludes single items with a cash price of £100 or less or more than £30,000.

What section 75 does

Conservatory contracts are often paid for with a credit card or finance arranged through the installer. Section 75 is a statutory rule attached to some of those credit agreements. If the customer has a claim against the supplier for a misrepresentation or a breach of contract in relation to a transaction financed by the agreement, the customer has a like claim against the creditor. The statute makes the creditor and the supplier jointly and severally liable, so a claimant can pursue either or both. The Act is stated to extend to the whole of the United Kingdom, so the rule is not confined to England and Wales.

Which credit agreements qualify

Section 75(1) applies to a debtor-creditor-supplier agreement falling within section 12(b) or (c). Section 11 first divides regulated consumer credit agreements into restricted-use credit, for example credit that finances a transaction between the debtor and a supplier other than the creditor, and unrestricted-use credit. Section 12(b) then covers restricted-use credit of that kind where the creditor acts under pre-existing arrangements, or in contemplation of future arrangements, with the supplier. Section 12(c) covers unrestricted-use credit made under pre-existing arrangements between the creditor and the supplier, in the knowledge that the credit will finance a transaction between the debtor and that supplier.

Whether a particular card or finance agreement falls within these definitions depends on how the agreement is structured, so the agreement documents and the lender are the starting point. A payment that is not made under a credit agreement, such as a bank transfer from savings, is not within the section.

The price limits

Section 75(3)(b) removes any claim that relates to a single item to which the supplier has attached a cash price not exceeding £100 or more than £30,000. The legislation.gov.uk text records the section as up to date on 24 September 2026. The limit is framed by reference to a single item and its cash price, so the price attached to the goods or service being complained about is the relevant figure, not necessarily the total of the finance. Whether a whole conservatory contract counts as a single item is a point to check before relying on the section.

Section 75(3) also excludes non-commercial agreements and certain running-account credit agreements that require payments in specified periods not exceeding three months with no more than one payment in each period.

What kinds of claim it covers

The right depends on there being a claim against the supplier: misrepresentation or breach of contract. It does not create a new right against the installer. Where a conservatory is installed without reasonable care and skill, or does not match what was promised, the underlying claim against the installer is described in our guide to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 services rules. Section 75(4) adds that the rule applies even if the debtor exceeded a credit limit or otherwise breached a term of the credit agreement when entering the transaction.

Practical steps

Section 75(2) allows the creditor to be indemnified by the supplier for its loss, subject to any agreement between them. Section 75(5) entitles the creditor, in proceedings brought against it, to have the supplier made a party under the rules of court. A homeowner considering a claim should keep the contract, the payment records and the credit agreement, and write to the installer first, as the steps in our guide to resolving a dispute without court explain. Finance options generally are compared in our guide to financing a conservatory, and the contract terms that matter are covered in choosing an installer.

Court proceedings are a later step; the process in England and Wales is explained in our guide to county court claims against an installer.

FAQs

Does section 75 apply to a debit card payment?

Section 75 applies to debtor-creditor-supplier agreements that are regulated consumer credit agreements. A payment that is not made under a credit agreement is outside the section.

Does section 75 apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland?

The Act is shown on legislation.gov.uk as extending to the United Kingdom, so section 75 is not limited to England and Wales. The underlying contract claim against the installer is governed by the law that applies to the contract.

Is there a minimum and maximum price?

Yes. Section 75(3)(b) excludes a claim relating to a single item with a cash price not exceeding £100 or more than £30,000.

Can I still claim from the installer directly?

Section 75 makes the creditor and supplier jointly and severally liable, so the claim against the supplier remains.

The bottom line

Section 75 can let a customer who paid for a conservatory with qualifying credit bring a claim for misrepresentation or breach of contract against the lender as well as the installer, but only where the credit agreement falls within sections 11 and 12 and the single-item cash price is above £100 and no more than £30,000. It adds a second party to an existing claim rather than creating a new one. This is general information, not legal advice; check the agreement and take advice before relying on it.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 75: Liability of creditor for breaches by supplier”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 12: Debtor-creditor-supplier agreements”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Consumer Credit Act 1974, section 11: Restricted-use credit and unrestricted-use credit”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England and Wales a homeowner can apply to a county court to claim money owed by a business, and the court expects the parties to have exchanged information and considered alternative dispute resolution first; the court fee rises with the sum claimed, and a defended claim of £10,000 or less goes to free court-organised mediation.

Where a court claim fits

A court claim is usually a late step after the routes in our guide to resolving a dispute without court. GOV.UK describes a money claim as an application to a county court for money owed by a person or business, made online or by post. It says a different process applies in Scotland and in Northern Ireland, so this guide covers England and Wales only. The legal basis of the claim, such as poor workmanship, is set out in our guide to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 services rules.

Pre-action steps

The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct applies where no specific pre-action protocol does. Before proceedings start, it says the court will expect the parties to have exchanged enough information to understand each other’s position, try to settle and consider alternative dispute resolution. The usual steps are a letter from the claimant giving the basis of the claim, a summary of the facts, what the claimant wants and, if it is money, how the amount is calculated. The defendant should reply within a reasonable time, which the Practice Direction puts at 14 days in a straightforward case and no more than three months in a very complex one, and the parties should disclose key documents.

Non-compliance matters. The Practice Direction says the court may take it into account in case management and costs, and that an unreasonable refusal to use alternative dispute resolution, or a failure to respond to an invitation, can be treated as a failure of compliance. It also says the Practice Direction does not alter statutory time limits for starting proceedings.

What it costs to issue a claim

GOV.UK states that the court fee is based on the amount claimed plus any interest. The table shown on GOV.UK on 24 September 2026 lists these fees:

• up to £300: £35
• £300.01 to £500: £50
• £500.01 to £1,000: £70
• £1,000.01 to £1,500: £80
• £1,500.01 to £3,000: £115
• £3,000.01 to £5,000: £205
• £5,000.01 to £10,000: £455
• £10,000.01 to £200,000: 5% of the claim

Help with fees may be available on a low income or certain benefits. GOV.UK says interest can be claimed on the money owed and that, for debts other than late commercial payments, the rate is usually 8%.

Making the claim

GOV.UK says a claim can be made online unless, for example, the amount is unknown, there are three or more defendants, or a party has no address in England or Wales; otherwise the paper form N1 is used. After issue, the defendant must respond by a date the court notifies. If the defendant does not respond or refuses to pay, the claimant can ask the court for judgment.

Mediation and the hearing

For a claim of £10,000 or less that the defendant disputes, GOV.UK says the parties are told they must attend mediation, which the court organises free as a telephone appointment of up to one hour. For a larger claim the court may offer mediation, or the parties can arrange it themselves. If there is a hearing, GOV.UK says a claimant can represent themselves, and that a claim for less than £10,000 may be heard in a judge’s room or a courtroom, with a possibly more formal hearing for larger sums. A decision is given on the day and an appeal must be made within 21 days.

Evidence and enforcement

Where a claim turns on technical questions, the Practice Direction says the court must give permission before expert evidence can be relied on and that it may limit recoverable fees, so the first evidence is usually the contract, photographs and dated records, as suggested in our guide to recording a leak. If a judgment is not paid, GOV.UK says the claimant can ask the court to collect payment, including by bailiffs under a warrant of control; a county court warrant of control is available where the sum owed is £5,000 or less.

FAQs

Does this process apply in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

No. GOV.UK says there is a different process to make a court claim in Scotland and in Northern Ireland.

Do I have to write to the installer before issuing a claim?

The Practice Direction on Pre-Action Conduct says the court will expect the parties to have exchanged information and considered settlement first, usually starting with a letter setting out the claim.

Is mediation compulsory?

GOV.UK says that for a disputed claim of £10,000 or less the parties are told they must attend mediation.

Can I recover the court fee?

GOV.UK says a claimant may be able to claim fees back if they win the case.

The bottom line

A county court claim against a conservatory installer in England and Wales follows a set order: a pre-action letter, an attempt to settle, an issue fee that scales with the sum claimed, mediation for smaller disputed claims and, only then, a hearing. The court looks at whether both sides behaved reasonably before issue. This is general information, not legal advice; the figures and steps on the GOV.UK pages can change, so check them before issuing a claim.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Make a court claim for money: Court fees”
• GOV.UK, “Make a court claim for money: Resolve your claim through mediation”
• GOV.UK, “Make a court claim for money: Make a claim”
• Ministry of Justice, “Practice Direction: Pre-Action Conduct and Protocols”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England and Wales, section 80 of the Building Act 1984 requires a person to give the local authority notice of intended demolition of most buildings, but it exempts the demolition of a conservatory that forms part of a larger building and of buildings of not more than 1,750 cubic feet; separately, the Planning Portal says permission or prior approval may be required to demolish a building, with extra restrictions in conservation areas.

When a demolition notice is needed

Section 80 of the Building Act 1984, marked on legislation.gov.uk as applying to England and Wales, applies to any demolition of the whole or part of a building. A person must not begin a demolition to which it applies unless they have given the local authority notice of their intention and either the authority has given a notice under section 81 or the “relevant period” has expired. The relevant period is six weeks from the giving of the notice, or a longer period allowed in writing by the person giving it. The notice must specify the building and the works, and a copy must go to the occupier of any adjacent building, the gas supplier and the electricity supplier. Contravening the section is an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

The exemption for a conservatory

Section 80(1)(b) lists exceptions. They include the demolition of an internal part of an occupied building that will stay occupied, and the demolition of a building with a cubic content, measured externally, of not more than 1,750 cubic feet. Sub-paragraph (ii) adds that where a greenhouse, conservatory, shed or prefabricated garage forms part of a larger building, the exception applies to demolition of that greenhouse, conservatory, shed or prefabricated garage. On the wording, removing a conservatory that is attached to a house is therefore outside the section 80 notice requirement. Whether a particular structure counts as “part of a larger building” is a question of fact, so a large or free-standing structure should be checked with the council’s building control team.

What a council can require if a notice applies

Where notice is required, the local authority can give a notice under section 81 within the relevant period, and section 82 lists what it may require. That includes shoring up an adjacent building, weatherproofing surfaces of an adjacent building exposed by the demolition, repairing damage to an adjacent building, removing material and rubbish, disconnecting and sealing drains, arranging disconnection of gas, electricity and water with the statutory undertakers, and taking steps for the protection of the public and the condition in which the site is left. Even where the notice is not needed, these are sensible topics to agree with the contractor for a conservatory that adjoins a neighbour’s wall.

Planning permission and prior approval

The exemption from the Building Act notice does not answer the planning question. The Planning Portal says permission or “prior approval” may be required to demolish a building, depending on factors including the type and size of the building and where it is located, and advises asking the local planning authority before starting work to avoid the risk of legal action. It lists situations that need specific permissions, including demolition in a conservation area, which requires an application for planning permission for relevant demolition unless certain criteria are met, and demolition of listed buildings, which is covered by different legislation. It adds that permitted development rights do not apply in certain circumstances, such as where the land is the subject of planning permission for its redevelopment. Our guide to conservatories in conservation areas and on listed buildings covers the additional consents in more detail.

Replacement plans and the house wall

The Planning Portal also notes that where demolition is permitted, it does not automatically follow that permission will be granted to build a replacement structure or change the use of the site. If a new structure is planned, the rules for a replacement conservatory are covered in our guide to repairing or replacing an old conservatory. Removing a conservatory can also affect the house wall, door and windows that separated it from the house, and our guide to removal of thermal separation explains the building regulations position when the separating wall is taken out. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules, which this guide does not cover.

Safety and paperwork on the job

A homeowner who commissions the work is a domestic client for health and safety purposes, and our guide to domestic clients and CDM 2015 explains who carries the duties. Getting the contractor to confirm in writing who will remove the waste, disconnect services and make good the house is sensible, because a council notice under section 82 can place duties on the person carrying out the demolition.

FAQs

Do I have to notify the council before removing a conservatory attached to my house?

Section 80(1)(b)(ii) of the Building Act 1984 excepts the demolition of a conservatory that forms part of a larger building from the notice requirement.

How long is the notice period when section 80 applies?

The relevant period is six weeks from the giving of the notice, or a longer period the person giving notice allows in writing.

Do I need planning permission to demolish a conservatory?

The Planning Portal says permission or prior approval may be required depending on the type, size and location of the building, with extra rules in conservation areas, so ask the local planning authority first.

Does this apply in Scotland?

Section 80 is marked as applying to England and Wales, so Scotland and Northern Ireland need separate checks.

The bottom line

On the wording of section 80 of the Building Act 1984, removing a conservatory that forms part of a house is excepted from the demolition notice in England and Wales, but planning and consent rules, particularly in conservation areas or for listed buildings, can still apply, and the work still needs a competent contractor and a plan for services, waste and the house wall. This is general information, not legal advice; check with the local planning authority and building control.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “Building Act 1984, section 80: Notice to local authority of intended demolition”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Building Act 1984, section 81: Local authority’s power to serve notice about demolition”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Building Act 1984, section 82: Notices under section 81”
• Planning Portal, “Demolition: planning permission”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In Wales a conservatory is normally exempt from building regulations when it is built at ground level with less than 30 square metres of internal floor area, is thermally separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows, has no fixed heating appliance or extension of the house heating system, and has glazing and fixed electrics that comply with the regulations; a new structural opening into the house still needs approval.

The Welsh Government summary

Welsh Government guidance says building regulations will generally apply to an extension to a home, but that conservatories are normally exempt when four conditions are met. The conservatory is built at ground level and is less than 30 square metres in internal floor area; it is thermally separated from the house by external quality walls, doors or windows; there is no fixed heating appliance, or the building’s heating system is not extended into the conservatory; and the glazing and any fixed electrical installations comply with the applicable building regulations requirements. The word “normally” matters, because a project that misses any of these points is treated as an ordinary extension. The rules in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland differ; see our guides to the England exemption, Scottish building warrant exemptions and Northern Ireland Class 8.

What the regulations themselves say

Class 7 of Schedule 2 to the Building Regulations 2010, which is marked as applying to England and Wales, covers the extension of a building by the addition at ground level of a conservatory, porch, covered yard or covered way, or a carport open on at least two sides, where the floor area of the extension does not exceed 30 square metres. For a conservatory or porch that is wholly or partly glazed, the glazing must satisfy the requirements of Part N of Schedule 1, the wording that applies in Wales. The Welsh Government’s glazing guidance refers to Approved Document N for safety glazing. The Welsh Government summary adds the thermal separation and heating conditions, which relate to the energy efficiency requirements.

Glazing and safety glass

The Welsh Government’s guidance on doors and windows says safety glazing should be provided to glass in a critical area, and gives a general list: any glazed area within a window below 800mm from floor level, any glazed area within a window that is 300mm or less from a door and up to 1500mm from floor level, and within any glazed door up to 1500mm from floor level. It refers to diagram 1 in Approved Document N for more information. It also says building regulations have applied to all replacement glazing since 1 April 2002, that an external window or door is a “controlled fitting”, and that a competent person scheme installer can carry out compliant work without involving local authority building control and issue a certificate. Our guide to conservatory glazing covers the technical terms.

Electrics

The Welsh Government’s electrics guidance says electrical work in a home or garden in England and Wales must follow the Building Regulations, either by using an installer registered with a competent person scheme or by seeking approval from a building control body. It says notification is not needed for repairs, replacements and maintenance, or for extra power points and lighting points and other alterations to existing circuits, except in a kitchen, a bathroom or outdoors. The Regulations set overall criteria, Approved Document P gives practical guidance, and electrical work should follow BS 7671. The guidance notes that the Building Regulations do not restrict who may carry out electrical installation work but that anyone doing it needs to know what is required. For the England position, see our guide to Part P in England.

The structural opening and loft escape warnings

Two further points in the Welsh Government summary apply even where the conservatory is exempt. First, any new structural opening between the conservatory and the existing house requires building regulations approval, even if the conservatory itself is an exempt structure. Second, it advises against building a conservatory where it will restrict ladder access to windows serving rooms in roof or loft conversions, particularly if those windows are intended to help escape or rescue if there is a fire. This is a practical warning about the position of the conservatory and the windows above it, and is worth raising with the installer and the local authority at the design stage.

If the conservatory is not exempt

A conservatory that does not meet the exemption, for example because the house heating will be extended into it, is an extension for which building regulations apply. Our guide to choosing building control explains the routes for England, and the Welsh Government publishes the approved documents for Wales on its building regulations pages. The planning rules for Wales are separate and are covered in our guide to conservatories in Wales.

FAQs

Is a conservatory exempt from building regulations in Wales?

Normally, according to the Welsh Government, if it is at ground level, under 30 square metres, thermally separated, not heated by a fixed appliance or the house system, and its glazing and electrics comply.

Do I need approval to knock through from the house?

Yes. The guidance says any new structural opening between the conservatory and the house requires building regulations approval.

Does safety glass apply to conservatory doors?

The guidance on doors and windows says safety glazing is needed in critical areas, including within glazed doors up to 1500mm from floor level.

Can a conservatory block a fire escape window?

The Welsh Government advises against building where it will restrict ladder access to windows serving loft or roof rooms, particularly windows intended for escape or rescue.

The bottom line

A conservatory in Wales is normally exempt from building regulations if it is at ground level, under 30 square metres, thermally separated from the house, free of fixed heating and compliant on glazing and electrics, but opening the house wall up and blocking loft escape windows are separate concerns. Anything outside the conditions needs building regulations approval. This is general information, not legal advice; confirm the position with the local authority building control team.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• GOV.WALES, “Building regulations: conservatories”
• legislation.gov.uk, “The Building Regulations 2010, Schedule 2: Exempt buildings and work”
• GOV.WALES, “Building regulations: doors and windows”
• GOV.WALES, “Building regulations: electrics”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England and Wales, where a lease contains a covenant against making improvements without the landlord’s licence or consent, section 19(2) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 treats it as subject to a proviso that consent is not to be unreasonably withheld, while allowing the landlord to require payment for damage, diminution in value and legal expenses and, in some cases, an undertaking to reinstate.

Start with the lease

GOV.UK explains that a leaseholder has a legal agreement with the landlord, called a lease, which sets out the conditions agreed, for example whether permission is needed to make alterations. It warns that a leaseholder who does not follow the conditions might be taken to court and ordered to pay for any damage, and that the court may take away the lease. Most flats are leasehold, and houses can also be leasehold, and usually are if bought through shared ownership. A conservatory is an addition to the building, so before planning permission, building regulations or a quote, the lease should be checked for covenants on alterations, additions and improvements, and for what the lease actually includes, such as a garden or only the interior of a flat. Our guide to conservatories on flats and maisonettes explains why permitted development rules differ for flats.

Section 19(2): consent not to be unreasonably withheld

Section 19(2) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927, which is marked as applying to England and Wales, applies to leases containing a covenant, condition or agreement against the making of improvements without a licence or consent. It treats any such covenant, despite any express provision to the contrary, as subject to a proviso that the licence or consent is not to be unreasonably withheld. The section is framed around covenants that allow improvements with consent. Whether a particular conservatory counts as an “improvement” under a particular lease, and how a covenant is worded, are legal questions on which the lease and professional advice should be checked.

What the landlord can still require

The same subsection says the proviso does not stop the landlord requiring, as a condition of consent, the payment of a reasonable sum for any damage to or diminution in the value of the premises or any neighbouring premises belonging to the landlord, and for legal or other expenses properly incurred in connection with the consent. For an improvement that does not add to the letting value of the holding, it also does not prevent the landlord, where that would be reasonable, requiring an undertaking from the tenant to reinstate the premises to their previous condition. A leaseholder should therefore expect a request for the landlord’s legal costs and possibly an obligation to remove the conservatory at the end of the lease.

If the landlord refuses or delays

The Act says that where a dispute about the reasonableness of any such sum has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, the landlord is bound to grant the licence or consent on payment of the sum the court has found reasonable. The section does not set out a timetable or procedure for asking, and the reasonableness of a refusal depends on the circumstances, so a leaseholder facing refusal or delay should get legal advice rather than start building. GOV.UK also directs leaseholders to their lease for what happens if its conditions are breached, including court action.

Other consents to check

Landlord consent is separate from planning permission and building regulations, and from any mortgage lender consent, covered in our guide to mortgage lender consent. Title restrictions such as covenants in the deeds are explained in our guide to restrictive covenants. If a conservatory has already been built without the required consent, the consequences for a later sale are discussed in our guide to selling with an unauthorised conservatory.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Section 19(2) is marked on legislation.gov.uk as applying to England and Wales, so it should not be assumed to apply to leases in Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the position should be checked separately.

FAQs

Do I need my landlord’s permission to build a conservatory on a leasehold house?

It depends on the lease. GOV.UK says the lease will tell you whether you need permission to make alterations, and breaching it can lead to court action and possibly loss of the lease.

Can a landlord unreasonably refuse consent?

Under section 19(2) of the 1927 Act, a covenant against improvements without consent is treated as subject to a proviso that consent is not to be unreasonably withheld.

Can the landlord charge for consenting?

The section allows the landlord to require a reasonable sum for damage or diminution in value and for legal or other expenses properly incurred.

Does this apply in Scotland?

Section 19(2) is marked as applying to England and Wales only.

The bottom line

For a leasehold home the lease decides whether a conservatory needs landlord consent, and where it requires consent for improvements section 19(2) of the 1927 Act says that consent cannot be unreasonably withheld, though the landlord may attach conditions on damage, legal costs and sometimes reinstatement. Because a breach can lead to court action, consent should be in writing before building starts. This is general information, not legal advice on a specific lease.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• GOV.UK, “Leasehold property: Leaseholder rights and responsibilities”
• GOV.UK, “Leasehold property: Overview”
• legislation.gov.uk, “Landlord and Tenant Act 1927, section 19: Provisions as to covenants not to assign, &c. without licence or consent”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.

In England a “raised” platform is one with a height greater than 0.3 metres; the permitted development rules for enlarging a house, which cover a conservatory, do not allow the enlargement to include a verandah, balcony or raised platform, while garden decking that is no more than 0.3 metres high can be permitted development under the separate Class E rules for outbuildings and structures.

Why a raised terrace matters for a conservatory project

Many conservatory projects include a terrace, decking area or step-up platform outside the new doors. Under the planning rules in England a conservatory is usually built as an enlargement of the house under Class A of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. That class contains a specific exclusion for raised platforms, so an outdoor area that is part of the same works can take the whole scheme outside permitted development even when the conservatory itself would otherwise qualify. This guide covers England; Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, covered in our guides to Wales and Northern Ireland.

What Class A says

Paragraph A.1(k) of Class A provides that development is not permitted if it would consist of or include the construction or provision of a verandah, balcony or raised platform, the installation, alteration or replacement of a microwave antenna, a chimney, flue or soil and vent pipe, or an alteration to any part of the roof of the dwellinghouse. The interpretation provisions for Part 1 define “raised”, in relation to a platform, as a platform with a height greater than 0.3 metres. The government technical guidance for householders says verandahs, balconies and raised platforms are not permitted development and will require planning permission, and that a raised platform is any platform higher than 0.3 metres and includes roof terraces.

How height is measured

The technical guidance explains that references to height are measured from ground level, meaning the surface of the ground immediately adjacent to the building. Ground level does not include an addition laid on top of the ground, such as decking. Where the ground is not uniform, for example on a slope, it is the highest part of the ground surface next to the building.

Decking under Class E

The technical guidance says Class E, which covers buildings and other structures in the garden area for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the house, restricts the height of raised platforms, and that Class E allows garden decking provided it is not more than 0.3 metres high. The guidance describes “building” as including any structure or erection, and lists garden sheds, storage buildings, garages and garden decking as examples that can qualify if they have a purpose incidental to the enjoyment of the house. Class E limits also apply, including that the total area covered by buildings, enclosures and containers in the curtilage, other than the original house, must not exceed 50% of the curtilage, and that no part may be forward of a wall forming the principal elevation. Our guide to the 50% garden rule explains the coverage limit. The guidance also notes that buildings attached to the house are not covered by Class E and fall under Class A.

What this means for a conservatory scheme

Putting these points together, a low deck that stays at or under 0.3 metres and meets the Class E conditions can be permitted development, whereas a platform above 0.3 metres, or a raised terrace that forms part of the works enlarging the house, falls within the Class A exclusion and needs planning permission. Article 4 directions, listed building status and conservation areas can remove permitted development rights; see our guides to Article 4 directions and how permitted development works for conservatories.

Applying for permission

If a scheme includes a raised platform, the routes are a householder planning application, covered in our guide to householder planning applications, or redesigning the scheme so the platform is no higher than 0.3 metres and the other limits are met. The Planning Portal states that its guidance is introductory and based on national rules, that local rules may also affect what permission is needed, and that householders should check with their local planning authority. A lawful development certificate can confirm that a scheme is permitted development, as explained in our guide to lawful development certificates.

FAQs

How high can decking be before I need planning permission in England?

The technical guidance says Class E allows garden decking provided it is not more than 0.3 metres high. A platform higher than 0.3 metres is a raised platform.

Does a raised terrace next to a conservatory need planning permission?

Under paragraph A.1(k) of Class A, development that includes a raised platform is not permitted development, so planning permission is needed.

How is the height of a platform measured?

From ground level, meaning the surface of the ground next to the building, excluding decking laid on top, and the highest part where the ground is not uniform.

Do these rules apply in Wales?

The Planning Portal says its guidance relates to England and that the policy in Wales may differ.

The bottom line

In England a platform higher than 0.3 metres is a raised platform, and including one in works that enlarge a house takes the scheme outside Class A permitted development, so a conservatory with a raised terrace needs planning permission. Low decking of 0.3 metres or less can be permitted development under Class E if its other limits are met. This is general information, not planning advice; confirm the position with the local planning authority.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 24 September 2026:

• legislation.gov.uk, “The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, Schedule 2, Part 1: Development within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse”
• GOV.UK, “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance”
• Planning Portal, “Planning permission for extensions”

Related guides

Compare Conservatories is an independent guide. We may earn a fee from some links; this never affects what we write. This article is general information, not legal or planning advice on any specific property — always confirm requirements directly with your local planning authority.