Porch planning permission is something a customer may have to contend with if they have ambitions of extending their home frontage to give it a more welcoming look.
A ground-level porch will often be exempt from it, but there are instances where you will have to go through the process of making a planning application.
Picked out a porch as your next home improvement? Discover in what circumstances planning permission is compulsory and when it won’t be a concern.
When Planning Permission is Required
Planning permission can often be required when you are seeking to build something new, make a significant alteration to a building, or initiate a change of use.
This may leave you wondering do you need planning permission for a porch? The answer is possibly yes, and possibly no. The same goes for whether it will be exempt from building regulations.
You are going to need planning permission if:
- The ground area is more than three square metres (including the walls)
- The highest point is more than three metres in height
- It is within two metres of a boundary and the road
When will a porch require planning permission?
Do I need planning permission for a porch is a consideration that a homeowner faces when looking to uplift an entrance with a stylish new covered area.
Legal advice on the matter can be obtained from whoever your planning committee is, but knowing the rules like we do, Eden Windows is able to fill you in on the important details.
Non-compliance with any of the guidelines for permitted developments will definitely require planning approval, as will porch developments at listed buildings or in conservation areas.
When will a porch require building regulations approval?
There is a distinction between planning permission and building regulations and knowing what they both represent will avoid confusion between the two.
Planning is concentrated on the impact that developments have on the environment and landscape, whilst building regulations exist to ensure that the design and construction standards of buildings are up to scratch so that people can feel safe within them.
More complex porch designs tend to need building regulations approval, but most obey the conditions set out.
When is porch planning permission not required?
Planning permission isn’t an obligation when permitted development rights are adhered to, such as the requirement of the floor space not surpassing three metres.
The only exception to this is where there has been a withdrawal of these rights because you live in a listed building, designated area, or area with an Article 4 direction imposed on it.
Just because planning consent is granted does not mean that you also have building regulations approval as they’re not the same thing.
How big can a porch be without planning permission?
Staying within certain height restrictions will remove the need for planning permission and allow you to build without consent.
Under permitted development guidelines you can have a porch that does not exceed three metres above ground level in height and does not exceed three metres in size when measured externally. Anything above that will necessitate planning approval.
Be sure to also ensure the enhancement is over two metres away from any road or boundary.
How much does it cost to get porch planning permission in the UK?
Does a porch need planning permission will all depend on whether it fulfils the obligations to be regarded as a permitted development.
Where this doesn’t apply, a planning application will have to be forwarded to your local council’s planners.
This incurs a cost and you can find out how much using the Planning Portal’s fee calculator. The fee can be paid online at the same time as the submission of the application.
Steps to Obtain Planning Permission
Do you need planning permission for a porch is amongst the first questions a customer will inquire about in our first meeting with them about a porch undertaking.
That rests on whether the porch is a permitted development or not. In the event that it isn’t, planning permission will have to be acquired prior to things moving forward.
You can apply for planning permission through the Planning Portal, advising of what the proposed porch will encompass, with accompanying drawings, and this will be directed to your local authority for assessment. Postal and email applications are also accepted.
We can help organise the paperwork and speak to the appropriate planning department on your behalf.
Factors to Consider When Building a Porch
For an entranceway that lacks that little bit of something, a porch is a fabulous choice of enhancement to it and an invaluable storage area.
Ahead of proceeding with the construction of one, we have some pointers for you to be advised of.
Fix a budget for the project first, taking into account the material and design you have in mind, its size and such.
You’ll also have to envision its purpose and positioning at the property, and look into what the legal requirements and exemptions are so that you don’t break any rules and are assured a smooth construction process.
We have a fantastic range of porches at Eden Windows if you want a more appealing, more secure and roomier home.