Solihull has some beautiful conservation areas — Berry Hall, Meriden, Knowle, Dorridge and Bentley Heath among them. Extending a kitchen in a conservation area requires extra care with planning, materials and detailing. Here is our practical guide.
Conservation area basics
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council designates conservation areas to protect the special architectural or historic character of a place. In practice, this means:
- Permitted Development Rights are usually reduced
- Applications need to demonstrate how the design preserves or enhances the character
- Materials must be sympathetic to the surrounding buildings
- Rooflights may be restricted on the front elevation
- Some Article 4 directions remove PDR entirely for extensions
What Solihull planners usually accept
Materials that work
- Reclaimed or matching handmade brick
- Lime mortar (not standard cement) on older properties
- Natural slate roofing on Victorian and Edwardian homes
- Sash windows in painted timber, not uPVC
- Cast iron rainwater goods (or good-quality aluminium alternatives)
Design approaches that work
- Traditional lean-to profile with matching pitched roof
- Set-back rear extension that doesn’t dominate the original elevation
- Restrained fenestration — smaller panes rather than one huge glass wall
- Chimney retention (even if not functional)
Design approaches that struggle
- Flat-roof modern extensions on Victorian rear elevations
- Contemporary bi-fold doors on properties with sash windows
- Contrasting cladding materials (zinc, corten steel)
- Rooflights visible from the street
Making the most of a conservation-appropriate design
Just because the planner wants tradition doesn’t mean the inside has to feel dated.
Vaulted ceiling
A traditional pitched-roof extension gives you a vaulted internal ceiling — often more dramatic than a flat-roof modern equivalent. Keep the underside of the rafters exposed for maximum height.
Feature roof lantern
A single well-placed conservation-style roof lantern (with slim aluminium frames) can flood the kitchen with light without dominating the roofline from outside.
Sensitive glazing
Slim-frame heritage-style Crittall windows or timber-framed casement doors give the character of traditional glazing but with modern thermal performance.
Traditional detailing hiding modern services
Ceiling roses hiding downlights, panelled walls hiding cabling routes, restored fireplaces containing modern wood burners.
Planning strategy in Solihull
Pre-application advice
Solihull MBC offers paid pre-application advice for major projects. For £300–£500 you get written feedback on your proposal before submitting the full application. In conservation areas, this is money well spent.
Engage a conservation-specialist architect
Any competent architect can draw an extension. In a conservation area, an architect with a track record of successful conservation applications in Solihull will get you approved faster and with fewer conditions.
Talk to your neighbours first
Neighbour objections are the most common reason conservation area applications get called in for committee decision. A quiet chat over the fence before you submit lowers the risk.
Typical costs for a conservation-area kitchen extension in Solihull
- Modest lean-to (15 m²): £55k–£80k
- Full-width single-storey (25 m²): £85k–£130k
- Two-storey rear (40 m²): £150k–£220k
Add 10–20% versus non-conservation equivalents because of specified traditional materials.
Free consultation
We have delivered dozens of successful conservation-area extensions in Solihull. Call CK Construction on 01527 521835 or use our contact form.
Serving homeowners across Solihull, Birmingham, Worcester, Malvern and the wider region.