You will need to apply for planning permission if the porch:

• Would have a ground area (measured externally) of more than 3 square metres

• Would be higher than 3 metres above ground level (height needs to be measured in the same way as for a house extension); or

• Would be less than 2 metres away from the boundary of a dwellinghouse with a highway (which includes all public roads, footpaths, bridleways and byways).

The construction of a porch built at ground level with a floor area of no more than 30 square metres is normally exempt from building regulations approval, provided that any glazing and fixed electrical installation complies with the applicable requirements of the building regulations (i.e. Part K - ‘Protection from falling, collision and impact’ and Part P - ‘Electrical Safety’ for England only) (Part N - ‘Glazing’ and Part P - ‘Electrical Safety’ relevant to Wales).

In addition, for a porch to be exempt from building regulations approval, the front entrance door between the existing house and the new porch must remain in place, and where the house has ramped or level access for disabled people, it is essential that the porch must not adversely affect the access.

An enclosed space around an external door will help with draught proofing and energy saving..