It is now ten months since the introduction of the new UK planning regulations that came in to effect on the 1 st October 2008 and here, ConservatoryLand, a major manufacturer and supplier of DIY conservatories report on the effects that they have had on the conservatory industry since then.
David Bingham, director of ConservatoryLand says “I have heard reports from certain large conservatory roof manufacturers that the volume of their roof orders have increased but their sales revenue has actually decreased in 2009 compared to that of 2008.
This is thought to have been caused partly due to the new planning permission regulations which are causing consumers to opt for smaller conservatories with a view to keeping within the new size criteria for which you do not now require planning permission approval.”
The size criteria elements within the new planning regulations that could be affecting this are:
• No extension to be higher than the highest part of the roof
• Maximum depth of a single-storey rear extension of three metres for an attached house and four metres for a detached house
• Maximum height of a single-storey rear extension of four metres
• Maximum depth of a rear extension of more than one storey of three metres including ground floor
• Maximum eaves height of an extension within two metres of the boundary of three metres
• Maximum eaves and ridge height of extension no higher than existing house
• Side extensions to be single storey with maximum height of four metres and width no more than half that of the original house
• Roof pitch of extensions higher than one storey to match existing house
Taking the above criteria in to consideration, it is clear to see why some manufacturers of conservatories and conservatory roofs are thinking that consumers are being guided in to buying smaller conservatories and are blaming this for a smaller average order value.
This is presenting a real problem for the manufacturers as they are forced in to producing more conservatories which in turn increases their overheads whilst at the same time actually reduces revenue and damages profit margins.
David Bingham of ConservatoryLand adds “I really think that the government didn't think this through properly and imposed the new rules to ease the burden and reduce the backlog of the number of applications that they were having to deal with.
Although the volume of planning permission applications for conservatories may have decreased and therefore allowing suppliers to turn round their orders faster, the unforeseen damage to their overall revenue continues to be a cause for concern.”
There are so many possible interpretations of planning permission rules and building regulations requirements and it is very easy for consumers and even conservatory companies to misinterpret them and it is therefore strongly advised that anyone looking to install conservatories or any other types of home extensions should always consult their local planning department before proceeding, it very often only takes a phone call to clarify your position and put your mind at rest.
2012
