Need planning permission to enlarge a single exterior door to french doors?

summerday

Hello,My question is exactly as per the title really- we would like to make the single door leading out to the garden from the kitchen on our detached house larger to put french doors in. Although we are detached the neighbours are very close. Do we need to apply for planning permission?Thanks for any help, Sarah

andrew-b

Hi,
You shouldn't need planning permission (assuming it's not a listed building) but you'll probably need to comply with Building Regs....
See http://www.planningportal.gov.uk or contact your council's building control office and speak to them.

Andy

summerday

Many thanks Andy, I will do that.

Michala_B

Hi Sarah T,

I'm new to this forum and I have just seen your thread on planning permission. I work for my local authority's planning department and I would really advise you to get proper guidance from your local planning department.

Most planning departments offer a free service, whereby you submit your query along with a drawing of what you're wanting to do (doesn't have to be a professional drawing) and they will respond to you within so many working days to say whether you need permission (you'd then have to submit a proper application and pay for it) or whether it would fall within your Permitted Development rights. It may seem a faff, but you don't want enforcement action taking should you do it illegally!!!

Like Andy says, you may need building regs too especially if you are removing part of the original wall to make a larger door way.

Hope that helps!

Michala

tbs624

Since April 2002: when windows or doors (of 50% or more glass AFIAA ) are replaced in existing properties, they have to comply with Approved Documents Parts L (conservation of fuel & power) and N (impact safety) and the new installations must not worsen the property’s compliance with other parts of the Building Regs, specifically Part A (structure), B (fire escape) F (ventilation), J (combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) and M (access for the disabled).

You should have either Building Regs approval or FENSA certification (FENSA = Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme, set up by the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) et al in response to the current Building Regs for E&W) Have a look here too: http://www.fensa.co.uk