Conservatories

Conservatories *

Like other alterations to houses in Letchworth, often Conservatories require the consent of the Heritage Foundation, whether the property is leasehold or freehold. These are treated in a similar manner to rear extensions as similar issues often arise. The impact of conservatories on the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers can be significantly less than is normal for solid extensions. There is less overshadowing and loss of daylight to neighbouring properties compared to most other types of extension. Therefore, in some cases, conservatories are more likely to be acceptable compared to equivalent solid extensions.

In these circumstances, it is felt that the following criteria, in addition to normal considerations for rear extensions, are appropriate for conservatories

• up to 3.65 metres in depth from the rear extended building line of the property;
• one metre separation is required to the side boundary (not boundaries between semi-detached properties);
• in cases where inadequate fencing or boundary planting exists, obscured glazing should exist up to a height of 1.67 metres from finished floor level; and

Applications relating to early Garden City terraced properties will require careful consideration and a reduced depth of conservatory may well be appropriate to ensure the character of the property is maintained and neighbours not adversely effected.

*For the avoidance of doubt, conservatories are structures that have a translucent roof and in addition, part or fully glazed flanks. This glazing can be obscured.