If you’ve been looking at one of our beautiful oak porch kits, but don’t fancy the bureaucratic headache that is getting planning permission from your local council, we don’t blame you! The great news is it’s likely a concern you can put to rest. Not only is planning permission for extensions like porches not anywhere near as difficult as you may assume (especially using our robust and high-quality oak porch kits), it’s also highly likely you won’t need it at all. Here’s everything you need to know about planning permission for oak porches, from the Oak Porches team..
Planning permission for oak porches
The law may work in mysterious ways- but not so much when it comes to the planning permission for your oak porch. So, when is planning permission not required?
If the area of your oak porch will be less than 3m² externally, then you will not need planning permission for it
It’s also important that the porch be less than 3 metres above the ground (for flat/single pitch roofs) or 3.5m if dual-pitched
It cannot be closer than 2 m to your boundary fences, roads or footpaths
In order to avoid ‘eyesore’ and ‘nuisance’ laws, it’s also required that your oak framed porch is of a similar appearance to the house. Blending style to your existing home well is thus a key component of the law, as well as common sense.
What else could affect planning permission for my oak framed porch?
So far, so good. The matter seems fairly clear cut. Provided your oak porch kit is of a style that, when erected, will meet those criteria, you should be good to go without planning permission. Talking honestly, that’s fairly rare in the UK for new structures attached to the existing home. There are a few other refinements you need to consider, however.
- If the house is outfitted with disability access, that access cannot be impeded by the new construction. This could refer to things like wheelchair ramps or other quality-of-life improvements that ensure easy accessibility.
- You will need to ensure that the front entrance of the home either remains in place, or is replaced by a new door.
While these 2 circumstances may seem matters of common sense, you’d be surprised how often they are breached! This is why opting to work with an established partner like Oak Porches can be beneficial to your entire experience, as we have the experience to help you select the best oak porch kit for your needs as well as assist in erecting it should you choose.
Do note that the planning permission rules we have outlined above apply only to freestanding homes. Other building types, like maisonettes or flats, will require a different set of planning permissions as permitted development rights don’t typically apply. It’s also key to make sure you comply with any required building regulations.
What happens if I want a larger oak porch kit?
Of course, it’s possible you may want a porch larger than the one we’ve outlined up above. These are typically considered as extensions under law, and fall under rules governing living space rather than porches per se. That’s not to say planning permission will automatically be needed, however. For example, ‘side extensions’ often do not need planning permission.
Here, the side extension cannot be wider than half the width of the home. Again, it cannot infringe nearer than 2m on your boundary, and there are applicable height restrictions. As with all ‘outhouse’ structures in the UK, you also cannot occupy more than 50% of your garden with extensions. That includes other structures you have, not just the porch.
My building is listed, or on designated land- help!
The rules we’ve listed above will likely not apply to a listed building. Typically, you need Listed Building Consent for any alteration to a listed building. Even if the project falls only within the curtilage of a listed building, you will likely need planning permission. This may be waived if Listed Building Consent has been granted already. Your local planning office is probably best placed to assist you in this matter.
Likewise, stricter regulations can apply in designated areas. There are some exemptions, but typically you would need planning permission here too.
Planning permission for oak porches is, then, pretty simple. In all but the most exceptional of circumstances, it is highly unlikely you will require planning permission. They are also typically exempt from building regulations. That doesn’t mean any plumbing or electrical work can be shoddy, however! You will need to make sure you comply fully with all existing regulations in that area.
Keen to find the right oak porch kit for you? Then it’s time to get going! The friendly team at Oak Porches UK is always on hand to help you through the process of choosing the right oak porch for your home, so don’t be afraid to reach out to us today.
