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Exemptions from Building Regulations

There are certain buildings that may be exempt from building regulations. These can include conservatories, porches, domestic garages, small detached buildings.

Please remember that although buildings are exempt in terms of building control, it may be necessary to comply with other matters like planning. 

If you are unsure about these or any other aspect of exempt buildings, please contact Building Control on 01495 355521 or email: building.control@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Conservatories

To be exempt your conservatory must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Must be at ground floor level only.
  • Internal floor area must not exceed 30sq. metres
  • A conservatory has not less than three-quarters of the area of its roof and not less than half the area of its external walls made of translucent material.
  • Must not be used for any other purpose (e.g. kitchen or living/sleeping accommodation).
  • Existing external entrance doors and/or windows must be retained.
  • Safety glazing must be used.
  • The heating system must be separate and not extended from the main house and have its own controls.

Porches

To be exempt your porch extension must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Must be at ground floor level only
  • Internal floor area must not exceed 30sq. metres.
  • Must not be used for any other purpose (e.g. Kitchen or living / sleeping accommodation)
  • Existing external entrance doors and / or windows must be retained.
  • Safety glazing must be used.
  • The heating system must be separate and not extended from the main house and have its own controls.

Car ports

To be exempt your carport must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Must be at ground floor level only.
  • Internal floor area must not exceed 30sq. metres
  • The carport must be open on at least two sides

Garage/ small detached buildings

To be exempt your garage must satisfy the following criteria:

  • Must be detached
  • Must be single storey
  • Internal floor area must not exceed 30sq. metres.
  • Must not be used for any other purpose (e.g. Kitchen or living / sleeping accommodation).
  • More than 1 metre from the boundary or wholly non-combustible

For any services eg. electric/ drainage a Building Regulation application must be submitted

Contact Information

Building Control
Telephone Number: 01495 364848
Address: Building Control, General Offices, Steelworks road, Ebbw Vale, NP23 6DN
Email Address: building.control@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk