Always a good subject to get people going is the need for planning permission for a DIY conservatory! There are clear indicators to be found on the internet about what you can and cannot do or have. On of the main ones is whether you are allowed to have one at all. Believe it or not, there are areas of the UK where it is forbidden to build a conservatory, or even put cladding onto an existing property.
If you live in certain locations you can either give up on the idea and move house or see how long the authorities take to get you to dismantle it! Areas such a the Norfolk Broads, areas of outstanding natural beauty, areas of special scientific interest and other 'designated' areas all fall into this category. There is not a little confusion about what exactly a 'designated' area is, as it seems to vary depending on where in the country you are.
lets get back to the more mundane aspects of planning permission though. There are several thing to be taken into account when looking to plonk a conservatory on the side or rear of your property. How much ground will it cover? Where exactly will it be situated? Also important are the projected width, height and depth. The maximum depth for a conservatory to the rear of a terraced house is 3 metres, whilst for a detatched house this goes up to 4 metres. The maximum height of a rear conservatory cannot go over 4 metres. If a boundry comes within 2 metres of the conservatory sides, the height is restricted to a maximum of 3 metres to the eaves.
Most of the above is fairly logical, but do not get caught out! If, for instance, you want to add a veranda or some similar raised structure to your conservatory, you will need planning permission. Not quite sure as yet if this applies to decking, but will do some more research and let you know.
If you are in any doubt about any of the above, contact you local planning office. Also on our other website www.priorproducts.co.uk there is a feature on conservatory planning regulations.