When You’ll Need Planning Permission For Your Decking

One of the benefits of opting for decking in your garden is that it’s almost always a simple, no-fuss process. There are, of course, always exceptions. There may be circumstances where you need to take things like building regulations and planning permission into consideration. Read on to find out more.

Circumstances that require planning permission for decking

Most homeowners can install decking under permitted development conditions. This should apply to you unless any of the following conditions apply (in which case you may need to apply for permission from your local authority).

1. You’re building a deck more than 30cm above the ground

There are many reasons you might covet raised decking; we’ve covered lots of them in our previous blog about building a raised deck. Reasons include:

• Creating level access from an above-ground door.
• Building decking in a sloping garden.
• Building a raised deck around a pool or hot tub.
• Creating a multi-level deck.
• Providing wheelchair access between home and garden.
• Creating decking with storage underneath.

2. With the addition of your proposed deck, more than 50% of your garden area will be covered

You’ll need to carefully consider whether adding your decking will take you over this 50% threshold. What it’s asking you to establish is whether co-existing structures mean that more than half of your original garden would be covered. The area in question pertains to the *original* plans for your home and land, not the current situation.“Area of the garden” includes all your land, including back, front and side gardens, and doesn’t include the space covered by the original house.

This means you need to think about any extensions, conservatories, garden rooms, sheds, patios and existing decks, porches, garages, greenhouses, pergolas, hot tubs, swimming pools and any other permanent structures.

3. Your decking extends forward of the front of your house

If you want to create decking that extends beyond the main frontage of your house, or the “principle elevation” as it’s officially called, then you’ll need planning permission. This includes if you want to create a decking path or steps in your front garden or a wraparound deck that extends to the front.

Planning permission for decking is usually simple to achieve

Don’t worry. Even if you do need planning permission, it’s usually just a formality when it comes to something unobtrusive like building some raised decking. It’s not like your neighbours can complain it blocks their sunlight.

Also, if installing decking is part of a larger project like replacing a conservatory or building an extension, your decking plans can be included in the same planning application and don’t have to be separate.

The only time where it might be a bit more complicated is if you live in a conversation area. If you do, we’re sure you’re already familiar with the different rules that apply, and that conservation area consent will be required for any works, including work in your garden.

The best way to find out whether building the deck you have in mind would be subject to any kind of local authority approval is to speak to a reputable installer in your area. Click here to search for a PRO installer near you.