Orangery Planning Permission: What You Need to Know in the UK

When you think of an orangery, a sunlit, glass-walled extension designed to bring the outdoors in, often with a solid roof section and brick piers. Also known as a glasshouse extension, it’s more than just a fancy conservatory—it’s a functional living space that adds value and year-round use to your home. But before you start designing, you need to know the rules. Many people assume all extensions need full planning permission, but that’s not always true. In the UK, most orangeries fall under permitted development rights, a set of rules that let you build certain types of extensions without applying for full planning permission, as long as they meet specific size, height, and location limits.

Here’s what actually matters: if your orangery is single-storey, doesn’t extend more than four metres from the back wall of a detached house (or three metres for semi-detached or terraced), and stays under four metres in height, you’re likely covered. But if you’re in a conservation area, a listed building, or a National Park, the rules tighten up fast. You’ll also need to watch the materials—using brick or stone piers helps it look more like part of the house, which improves your chances of approval. And don’t forget building regulations, the safety and energy standards that apply to all extensions, regardless of planning permission. These cover insulation, structural strength, and ventilation. You can’t skip these, even if you don’t need planning permission.

People often confuse orangeries with conservatories. The big difference? Orangeries have more solid structure—brick or stone walls, a flat or pitched roof with a glazed section—while conservatories are mostly glass with a lightweight frame. This matters because orangeries are more likely to be seen as part of the main house, which helps them qualify under permitted development. If you’re planning to use your orangery as a kitchen, living room, or home office, you’ll also need to think about heating, electrics, and drainage. That’s where building regulations come in again. They’re not optional.

What you won’t find in this collection are vague advice or generic templates. Instead, you’ll get real, practical posts that dig into what works in UK homes—from how to design an orangery that blends with Victorian architecture, to what materials actually last through British weather. You’ll see how others navigated local council rules, what mistakes to avoid, and how to turn an orangery into a true extension of your home, not just a glass box. Whether you’re starting from scratch or just trying to figure out if you need to apply for permission, these posts give you the facts you need to move forward without guesswork.