A conservatory is a great way to add purpose and functionality to a previously underutilised area of the home, whether that’s at the side of the property, the back, or even the first floor (or higher!). Side return conservatories have specific space requirements, but are well-suited to a certain style of home. Let’s take a look at what a side return conservatory is, and what sort of properties can benefit the most.
What is a side return extension?
A side return conservatory is a type of home extension that makes use of the often underused alleyway or narrow strip of land that runs along the side of many houses, particularly Victorian and Edwardian style townhouses. Where a traditional extension adds to the depth of a property, a side return extension adds to the width.
What properties are best suited for a side return conservatory?
The housing across many major cities in the UK consists heavily of townhouses; terraced or semi-detached homes that are often three or four stories tall (sometimes including a basement) to compensate for the lower square footage per level.
This style of property was popularised around the 17th century to provide high-density accommodation. Due to the region’s ever-growing population, property developers today are still undertaking new-build townhouse projects, as building up rather than out allows for an increased number of homes per area of land.
Semi-detached or end-of-terrace townhouses with private gardens will often have an alleyway or narrow strip of land down the side, connecting the front exterior of the property to the back garden space. This style of home is often limited for outdoor garden space, with many townhouse gardens being shorter in width, making a traditional extension less practical. This is where a side return conservatory comes in!
The benefits of a side return conservatory
Where a traditional conservatory isn’t suitable due to space constraints, a side return conservatory offers the perfect solution. Adding practical purpose to a previously underused space, a side return conservatory can act as its own unique room, but it’s more often utilised as an extension of a kitchen, dining, or living area, creating an open plan, airy feel.
In a time when increasing the floor space of a home is so popular, every inch of unused space is simply wasted potential. Not only can a side return conservatory add more practicality and improve the layout of the home, but it can also increase the property’s value.
Side return conservatories and the Party Wall Act
In England and Wales, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 provides a legal framework for preventing and resolving disputes between neighbours in relation to party walls, boundary walls, and excavation near neighbouring buildings. A ‘party wall’ can refer to any physical wall shared between two properties, as well as an unseen boundary shared with a neighbouring property.
Where a traditional conservatory often does not require planning permission, side return conservatories near or on a party wall may require a Party Wall Agreement. This is a written agreement between the homeowner and the affected neighbour that approves the proposed building work.
Various criteria mean your project will require a Party Wall Agreement. Not all will be relevant to a side conservatory extension project, but the following may apply:
- Any direct work to party walls between semi-detached and terraced houses
- Work to garden boundary walls
- Excavation works within 3-6m of the party wall
- Building a second-storey extension above a shared wall
- Building a new wall up to or off the party wall
The Party Wall Act does not apply to Scotland and Northern Ireland, where common law is used to settle party wall issues.
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