Porch Query

[Snagrat]

we currently have a porch which has 1 wall single skin brick and the other two walls are uPVC, including the door. Internally we still have the old wood framed main door. It has a flat felt roof. Floor area of existing must be around 2.5m2

Due to the single skin wall, the leaking roof and the coldness of the porch we want to knock it down and build new.

We want to build one that is 3m2 and has a slatted roof. All walls will be brick and built like a house would be (I.e not single skin). We also want to remove the internal old door and replace it with a standard 4 panel wood door.

The question is would we need planning permission? We will be less than 3m2, less than 3m high and not within 2m of a neighbour.

There is a question over if we are allowed to remove the internal door for a standard door. The current door has glass side panels which we want to brick up so just the door width is open.

Any advise much appreciated.

 

[^woody^]

No planning permission normally required with those dimensions.

Removing the door would require Building Regulations approval. With all that comes with that.

 

[Ian H]

Would building regs or any inspections be needed?

I want to do exactly the same.

 

[^woody^]

Would building regs or any inspections be needed?

I want to do exactly the same.

Why do you want to inspect the OP's porch? How much do you charge for inspections anyway?

 

[tony1851]

If you removed the existing front door and replaced it with an ordinary internal door, the structure would cease to be a porch and would become a front extension to the house, which would need planning permission, as well as Building Regs.

 

[^woody^]

which would need planning permission

Removal of the door is not a planning permission criteria. It will still be a porch it it has a doorway.

 

[BSK]

If this is street/front facing then planning permission is typically required. Especially if main front door is removed. Porch is still considered external space. If you're moving front door forward to gain internal space I've always been told that requires pp.

 

[tony1851]

Removal of the door is not a planning permission criteria. It will still be a porch it it has a doorway.

The p.d. regs state:
"The erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse", the pertinent word being 'external'.

 

[tony1851]

If this is street/front facing then planning permission is typically required. Especially if main front door is removed. Porch is still considered external space. If you're moving front door forward to gain internal space I've always been told that requires pp.

Yes, removal of the existing (external) door would make it a front extension, which would require p.p, regardless of size.

 

[Ian H]

Why do you want to inspect the OP's porch? How much do you charge for inspections anyway?

I would charge you a minimum of 1 pint of lager.

 

[^woody^]

The p.d. regs state:
"The erection or construction of a porch outside any external door of a dwellinghouse", the pertinent word being 'external'.

Planning regulations do not define external door in the same way as building regs do - ie external grade door.

Therefore it is taken as the the dictionary definition - any door on the external of the building.

 

[tony1851]

Planning regulations do not define external door in the same way as building regs do - ie external grade door.

Therefore it is taken as the the dictionary definition - any door on the external of the building.

There are just two appeal cases on the Planning Jungle website concerning this issue; in both, the inspectors stated that the original door must be retained for the extension to be classed as a porch.

 

[^woody^]

original door must be retained for the extension to be classed as a porch

"Original" door for ever and ever?

What if the "original" door has already been replaced 50 years ago?

And what if the original door has already been replaced with a £19.99 38mm hardboard door from B&Q or a sheet of ply with a D handle?

Planning regulations do not tend specify standards.

 

[tony1851]

Put the shovel down!

 

[^woody^]

It's OK, I know some of the older members here get confused with their planning and building regs, left and right foot, Friday and Saturday etc, so we young 'uns look out for them