Do I need planning permission to construct a porch?

21 February 2024
by Adam Wilkinson

I'm looking to extend my home's entrance by constructing a new porch. The ideal size will be 2m x 1.8m, but I'm unsure as to whether or not this will require planning permission?

One Answer

  1. Erika Chaffey says:

    Hi Adam,

    Thanks so much for getting in touch. Adding a porch to the front of your home is considered permitted development, meaning you won’t need to make a formal planning application. As stated by the UK Planning Portal, here are the rules for constructing a porch:

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

    You can read more on the UK Planning Portal’s website here.

    If unsure, it’s always best to reach out to your local authority to double check.

    For reference, here are some other examples of what you can achieve under permitted development rights: 23 Home Improvement Projects You Can Do Without Planning Permission

    Best of luck with your plans,

    Erika Chaffey, Build It’s Editorial Assistant

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