You’re thinking about adding a porch to your home? Good plan! But where do you stand in terms of planning permission?
In this guide, we’ll take you through all you need to know – and we think you might be surprised at just how simple and straightforward the process can often be.
But first, let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why adding a porch is such an excellent idea.
Benefits of adding a porch
Kerb Appeal: The right porch will instantly transform the exterior look of your home. Whether you choose a contemporary, modern style or something more traditional, adding a porch is one of the most cost-effective ways to dramatically alter, and elevate, the appearance of your property.
Extra Space: A porch may not be a huge two-storey extension, but the extra space it creates will make a massive difference to your life. Great for storing things like shoes and coats out of the way, or even as a tranquil plant filled haven to welcome you home after a hard day. However, you choose to use the space your new porch creates, you’ll soon wonder how you ever managed to live without it.
Airlock: Ok, so we know it’s not actually an airlock, but it’s a great way to think of the space your new porch will create. Not just somewhere to take off muddy shoes (although that IS a great selling point) but also as a buffer between the outside world and the interior of your home. Ultimately, it’s just a much nicer way to enter a house – for both you and your guests.
But you already know it’s a good idea, so the question still remains: will you need planning permission to get one made? Ok, let’s get to it.
Do you need planning permission for a porch?
As with most things, it’s not simply a case of ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but, in the majority of cases… you will NOT need planning permission to have a porch added to your home. Hurrah!
However, before you rush out and get the plans drawn up, it’s important to remember that your new porch must comply with a few specific requirements for this to be the case.
- The ground floor area of your new porch is three square metres or less. This must be measured externally.
- It must not be more than three metres above ground level at any point.
- No part of your new porch is built within two metres of your home’s boundary or the main road.
- You live in a house. Requirements 1 to 3 only apply to houses – so if you live in a maisonette, a flat, or any other type of building other than a standard house you need to check where you stand with your local authority.
Of course, we’d still highly recommend checking your own personal situation with your local authority anyway, even if your planned porch falls within these requirements. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. But, if your new porch complies with all these requirements, it’s more than likely that you won’t need planning permission, thus making the whole process quicker and more seamless.
What about building regulations?
Good question. Building regulations are totally separate from planning permission and you should never start work without the correct paperwork all being in order. Building regulations in the UK are a set of standards and requirements that govern the construction and design of buildings to ensure the health, safety, welfare, and convenience of people using them. These regulations are intended to set minimum standards for various aspects of building construction, including structural stability, fire safety, energy efficiency, accessibility, and more. The building regulations apply to new constructions, as well as certain alterations and extensions to existing buildings.
Building regulations are something that you personally won’t need to worry about, that’s our jobs to ensure we comply with the standards set out by local authority.
Conclusion
If your planned porch complies with all of the guidelines mentioned above, then there’s every chance you shouldn’t need planning permission to get it made.
And if that means you’re ready to get started – get in touch with Bingley Windows and Glass. With years of experience and a huge range of styles and designs to choose from, we’ll work with you to create a porch that suits your lifestyle and the style of your property, perfectly.
To discuss your new porch project, get in touch with us today – fill in our contact form.