PORCH, planning permission & roof overhang above windows

[builderbelle]

hi, i'm new to this site and looking for informed opinion.
we're having a front porch built to add interest to the existing flat facade of our ex-local authority property.
we understand that 3 sq meters external area doesnt require planning permission. The idea is to extend the pitched roof of the porch over two windows of the front room supported at the other end with a post, making an over hang.
The question is, is this allowed within the permitted development rights? Again, the enclosed area will be 3sqm.
Also opinion-wise, is it worth getting proper building works done for a front porch or does a upvc suffice, afterall its more about appearances than anything else.

 

[DevilDamo]

The rules for a porch are as follows...

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.

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/buildingwork/projects/workcommonporch

Remember it has to be less than 3 sq.m in (external) floor area, which I don't think would take into account any overhanging eaves and the 3m high (i.e. from ground level to the roof/wall abutment or ridge tile).

So providing your proposals fall within those guidelines, then consider the porch to come under PD (Permitted Development), providing PD rights do exist for your property. If they do fall within PD, apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness to have it offically confirmed by the local authority to prevent problems in the future.

As for the materials... it depends what the front of your house looks like. If you have uPVC windows, doors, etc... the a uPVC system may look better than timber posts, etc...