Walk on flat roofed car port, what size joists?

[rjbell]

Hello everyone i'm new here. I've just bought my first house and this will be the first of many questions!

The garden is on 2 levels with no usable space for the kids to use. There is a patch of about 2 metres which is level with the house then steps down approx 3 metres down to a car port. My plan is to put a flat roof on and make it a terrace to claim back the space in the garden. The span is approx 5.5 metres and will need to be strong enough to hold lots of people when throwing BBQ's and entertaining as well as so planters.

Will a standard 2x12 joist be enough or will i need to go bigger?

 

[JohnD]

This is specifically forbidden by the rules permitting car ports to be built without planning permission.

 

[rjbell]

Right i did not know this. There is one there already with a plastic roof. I wanted to replace the joists with ones strong enough to hold people. Will this still need planning? I was under the assumption garages etc.. do not need planning anymore provided you meet certain criteria such as only being 2.3m high and only half the outside space used?

 

[tony1851]

Right i did not know this. There is one there already with a plastic roof. I wanted to replace the joists with ones strong enough to hold people. Will this still need planning? I was under the assumption garages etc.. do not need planning anymore provided you meet certain criteria such as only being 2.3m high and only half the outside space used?

You would be creating a balcony/verandah/deck - call it what you will - and that is specifically excluded from Permitted Development.

 

[rjbell]

Thank you both that's put a spanner in the works. What if it was a flat roofed garage with a strong roof, rather than a car port? Would this still be classed as balcony/verandah/deck?

 

[tony1851]

If it was intended for access by people, then yes, it would still need p.p.

 

[rjbell]

I've just read something interesting that decking as long as its below 30cm above ground level and below 50% of the original outside space no planning is need. Its also goes on to say that they define the height on the highest point in the garden if the levels are not uniformed. This should apply to me. Does anyone know if there is any helplines you can phone for advice?

 

[tony1851]

I've just read something interesting that decking as long as its below 30cm above ground level and below 50% of the original outside space no planning is need. Its also goes on to say that they define the height on the highest point in the garden if the levels are not uniformed. This should apply to me. Does anyone know if there is any helplines you can phone for advice?

If you ask the council if it needs planning permission, by default they will say 'er, yes'.
If you build it without planning permission, they will find a way of saying it does need p.p., so post on here for advice when you get the enforcement notice.