Do we need planning permission for a porch?

Jess_E

Hi everyone :wave:

I was wondering if any of you can help.
My BFs Mum lives in a townhouse (council tennant in this property for over 17 years) and my BF wants to build her a porchway, there are only 2 other houses on the road which is mainly council tennants who have yet to do this, everyone else already has. I want to know if we need to get planning permission to do it or if we just need it inspected afterwards or what.
The front door is set back into the house as the garage pokes out the front and the living room floor is above the front door outside basically giving it a roof, so with the porch, it would be making the front of the house flush.
Fingers crossed you catch my drift!

Any help would be much appreciated!

ormus

not normally.
same goes for conservatories. temporary structures dont need permission. and anything that bolts/screws onto the house is temporary.

there are other rules such as sq footage in relationship to the whole existing property and more importantly, the frontage building line.

but normal porches are usually exempt from this.

be nice to make sure the neighbours are ok with your plans though?
as long as they dont kickoff, then no one is gonna know anyway.

Jess_E

The connecting neighbours are ok about it, they suggested it a while back. Their door is next to ours with a wall with a hole in it separating their little entrance bit from ours. I think they are planning to do one aswell. It would mean bricking up the hole in the wall between our walkways and putting an external door up and bricking above it as it is quite a high hole where the front door would be (if you get what i mean). What do you mean by the square footage of the existing property? Sorry... dont get it!

ormus

cant remember the exact rules but its summat like any extension must not exceed the original sq footage of the property by 25%.
bear in mind different councils may have slightly different rules.

ie, you cant have a 250 sq ft conservatory on your 990 sq ft house.
its similar for sheds. most normal sheds are ok. but you cant build a massive chicken breeding shed in your semi detached, back garden.

Jess_E

OK well it would be roughly 30 sq ft. its just the pathway that leads to the house past the driveway and then the garage and under the living room.
Its also not really going to be a bolt on one, its going to be a bricked thing.

ormus

in that case you need to be a bit careful. try a bolt on option first if poss.
you are pretty safe then.
otherwise it may be wise to ask advice at the council offices.
councils have been known to enforce demolition of brick built extensions, built without permission.
its highly unlikely but its possible.

good luck with your project.

Jess_E

Al_Mac wrote:

Council tennant? Still? Or ex? If she still is she would have to talk to the council

Still council. Will get her to give them a ring.

Many thanks for all your help :beer:

cat79_2

In scotland, if the porch being built would bring the house (as extended) closer to a road (which bounds the properties curtilage) than the exisitng house, then planning permisison would be required, though if your porch is being built to be in line with the front elevation and not exceeding this then this rule would not apply.

However, if the house has previously been extended and the sum of the extensions (incl any buildings within 5m of the house) would exceed 24sqm (detached house) or 16sqm (if terraced or house within conservation area) then permission would be required. If the property is a flat (i.e someone living above or below) then permission would again be required. Though these regs are open to interpretation and some councils would deal with this differently.

If the house is not owner occupied i.e leased from council, then permission is required from the council housing dept (separately from the planning dept).

This advice is based on scottish regs, english/wales regs may differ. Always best to check with your own local authority.

bostin

For future reference, the relevant English regulations are here:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19950418_en_4.htm#IDARND3D

search the text for the word 'porch' (it's in Part 1 Class D)

Basically unless the property has had the permitted development rights taken away (on previous planning consents) or the Council has taken these rights away throughout the area (called an Article 4 direction) then you can build a porch.... regardless of how many extensions the property has previously had.

HTH

Bost

pat_kirby

If you live in a Conservation Area, as we do in Hampton Court, it might be a good idea to check with your local council's planning department first, since there may be restrictions.
Does anyone know where I can buy a reasonably priced canopy to fit to the side wall of our house, to protect our bikes from the weather. I have looked online but he prices seem astronomical !

dander

Have you looked at Norfolk Greenhouses - it's basic stuff and not particularly pretty, but the prices are good. I've got a small greenhouse from them which I'm delighted with.

http://www.norfolk-greenhouses.co.uk/shop/shop-infopage.php?longref=230~0