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Do I need planning permission to extend my front porch to add a downstairs toilet?
It is likely that you will require planning permission to extend an existing front porch to add a toilet.
Adding a porch falls within permitted development rights meaning an application for planning permission is not required provided specified limits and conditions are met. However, to fall under permitted development rights for a porch, the total ground area must not exceed three square metres. This is unlikely to be enough room to fit toilet and the required additional components.
Read the full rules for porches under permitted development on our mini guides.
If your porch exceeds these limits, it will be classified as an extension. These can be permitted development but come with a different set of rules.
Extensions are not permitted development if they are built forward of the ‘principal elevation’ of the house. As such, you will be required to submit an application for planning permission to your local planning authority.
If you live in a listed building, you will need listed building consent for any significant changes.
Common Questions
Whether you need building regulations approval depends on the type of underfloor heating (UFH) you are installing.
Electric UFH must comply with Part P for electrical safety.This work can be done by a member of the competent persons scheme who can self-certify the work.
Wet UFH must comply with Part L which focuses on the conservation of fuel and power. This will likely require building control approval.
A garden gazebo or freestanding awning will often fall under permitted development rights provided it abides by the restrictions set out by government. In this instance a garden gazebo or freestanding awning will be classed as an outbuilding and should not be in front of the house or more than 2.5 metres in height.
Different rules apply if the awning is attached to the house itself. It may still be permitted development, but falls under the class of enlargement, improvement or alteration.
Read more information including the full list of rules for outbuildings
Planning permission is not required for moving internal walls in a flat.If the building is a listed building, you may require listed building consent.
Removing a load bearing wall will require building control approval as it is altering the structure of the property. You will be required to provide a report from a structural engineer who will provide structural calculations.
Work on internal walls may also affect fire escape routes, ventilation, drainage or electrics. These should be considered during the design process and work should be carried out by a member of the competent person scheme where possible.
Work to the roof of a house (e.g. re-roofing) that does not change its external appearance will usually not require an application planning permission as it is classed as ‘permitted development’. There are certain conditions and limits that need to be met to qualify for permitted development rights.
Read more about permitted development for work to a roof.
A new roof must comply with building regulations to ensure it is structurally safe, energy efficient and properly ventilated.
Planning permission will not be require to add an en-suite provided it is within the existing building and not part of a wider project such as an extension.
Building regulations will have to be considered when adding an en-suite as it impacts drainage, ventilation and electrics. It is recommended that you have the work completed by a member of the competent person scheme.
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