Thinking of adding a porch and WC - advice please

hivoodoodoll

I am thinking of putting a porch and toilet onto the front of my house. I live in a row of 4 1930s terraced ex council houses.

Am I right in thinking that I will need building regs but not planning permission?

Is the best plan of action to get Architect drawings before getting a builder to come and give a quote?

I think the only thing I need to be concerned about, as far as utilities go, is where the waste pipe might be. Currently the toilet waste is at the back of my house and I believe the pipework runs down the middle of a pathway that runs between me and my neighbour. I am assuming that we would be able to tap into this for the new toilet I put in.

Is there anything else I need to consider at this stage?

Thanks in advance.

FreeBear

It alters the appearance of the property on its principle elevation (the one you see from the road). Planning permission would be needed as well as compliance with all building regulations.

If other houses in the neighbourhood have had similar additions to the front in recent years, planning approval is likely to be a formality.

hivoodoodoll

Thanks for that.

Yes it will obviously alter the look from the road. One neighbour is thinking of doing the same as me but because of the makeup of the road (at least my end) no other houses have done this.

Hopefully the couple of architects I have contacted will call me back.

MX5huggy

A porch of under 3m sq (external dimensions) does not require planning permission (under normal circumstances,not listed national parks conservation areas etc) I doubt you could get a building regulations compliant toilet in this space and a porch.

FreeBear

https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/46/porches

Adding a porch to any external door of your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided:

1. the ground floor area (measured externally) would not exceed three square metres.
2. no part would be more than three metres above ground level (height needs to be measured in the same way as for a house extension).
3. no part of the porch would be within two metres of any boundary of the dwellinghouse and the highway.

Quite possible to squeeze a toilet in to that space. 1m² for the entrance way, 2m² for a toilet - Use a space saver with a built in sink, and there would be no need for a separate basin.