Can I Convert my Conservatory into an Extension ?
Have you ever asked yourself the question: ‘Can I convert my conservatory into an extension?’
It may seem just a case of extending some walls and replacing the roof but, as with many construction projects, things are a little bit more involved than that. On a positive note, there is a lot of flexibility in planning these days and you are unlikely to need planning permission providing you are generally keeping within the envelope of the existing structure.
Be Prepared for a Project
However, to oversee a conservatory to extension project you – or the person you appoint for the job – should have a good grasp of planning procedures, insurance, law, design and building regulations. Without that, there is scope for major expense.
The first step is to find out if you are actually allowed to convert.
Conservatory Conversions and Permitted Development
As long as your property definitely does exist within a Permitted Development (PD) area then your conservatory conversion is almost certainly covered. However, if you are planning to do anything extreme (e.g. converting to a multi-storey extension) or of encroaching on to more of your land – especially if the conservatory is already at its maximum allowable length under PD – then you are likely to require planning permission. If you think you are in a grey area or are converting to sell, obtaining a Certificate of Lawful Development is wise to give future buyers piece of mind.
Conservatory Conversions and Building Regulations
Unless you are planning to turn your conservatory into a basic
Another consideration to make is insurance. Make sure you give your insurance company a call and check whether the converted building will still be covered and whether you can claim for any damage that occurs during the work itself.
What About Conservatory Roof Conversions
Instead of asking, ‘can I convert my conservatory into an extension,’ you could instead consider replacing the glass or polycarbonate roof with a lightweight, insulated roof designed just for that purpose.
Even though the Building Regulations have changed regarding conservatories, with the amount of glazing no longer as important, it is still a grey area. Building Control will still want to inspect the roof and the underlying structure but there is a lot less involved than with a full-scale extension.
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