Planning Permission for Decking: A Guide

Do you need planning permission for decking? If you’re considering installing new decking, you may well be wondering about this and any rules and regulations that might apply. It’s certainly worth looking into. If you go ahead without planning permission and it turns out that you should have got it, you risk having your decking dismantled again by your local planning authority. It can also cause problems if you sell your house further down the line, as there may be issues obtaining the necessary compliance certificates.

The answer to whether you need planning permission depends on a number of factors. In many cases, no planning permission will be required, but in others it might, depending on the decking project and your property. In this article, we will go through the different situations and explain when you might need planning permission for your decking and when you won’t.

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Article Contents

• What is Planning Permission and Regulations?
• Do you Need Planning Permission?
• How to get Planning Permission
• How to get Building Regulation Approval
• Discover Eco-Friendly Composite Decking

What are Planning Permission and Regulations?

Planning permission and building regulations can both have an impact on the work you want to do on your property. It’s important to understand the difference between the two.

Planning permission refers to the formal permission you may need to seek from a local authority for the erection or alteration of buildings and other large structures. The planning process is intended to guide the way that our towns, cities and countryside develop and can include a number of considerations, such as how land and property is used, how it looks, whether it fits into the character of its surroundings, and any environmental impacts it might have.

Building regulations set standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure that they are safe and suitable for whatever purposes they are to be put to (such as living in or operating a business). Building regulations can also cover areas such as energy efficiency and accessibility.

Planning permission is administered by your local authority. Building regulations are also administered by the local authority via a local governing body and national regulatory body, usually the Building Safety Regulator (BSR).

Do you need Planning Permission for Decking?

So, does decking need planning permission? The short answer is that it might.
In many cases, you will not need planning permission for decking. Decking is classed as a ‘permitted development’, which allows householders to improve and extend their homes without the need to apply for full planning permission, as long as it meets the following criteria:

• The decking is no more than 30cm above the ground.
• Together with other extensions, outbuildings, etc., the decking or platforms cover no more than 50% of the garden area.
• None of the decking or platform is on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.

This means that you may need planning permission if you are planning to build a raised deck and it is higher than 30cm from the ground. This also applies when laying decking on sloping ground if it is above 30cm from the ground at any point.

If your decking is likely to exceed any of the above conditions or you are unsure, it is always best to seek advice from your local authority about whether or not you need planning permission.

Some other scenarios where you might require planning permission include the following:

• The decking is situated within 20 metres of a motorway.
• It affects the value or privacy of a neighbouring property.

Decking is not generally permitted in the property surrounding listed buildings, and there are limitations for decking on properties in National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites.

How to get Planning Permission for your Decking

The Planning Portal has a handy tool for finding your local planning authority (LPA) using your postcode or the LPA name.

It is also possible to access the LPA search tool here.

Where they are needed, planning permission applications can generally be done online – often through the Planning Portal, but sometimes via the website of the local planning authority.

You will need to submit:

• Your full address.
• A site plan that shows how the decking will look and its dimensions.
• Ways that it might impact the surrounding area – for instance, whether it will affect a neighbour’s house in any way.

Remember to Inform your Neighbours

The relevant local planning authority will usually contact your immediate neighbours (meaning those who share a boundary with your property). It is not legally required for you to tell your neighbours about any planned work, but it is generally considered to be good practice and common courtesy to do so.

When it comes to raised decking planning permission, it’s always worth keeping your neighbours onside, especially as they have the right to disagree, and any valid reason for an objection could lead to your planning permission being denied. A potential objection could be if a raised deck overlooks their property and they feel that it impacts their privacy, for example.

How to get Building Regulation Approval

Major alterations or structural changes to a building, such as an extension, will always need to meet building regulations. Structures that need planning permission must also meet any relevant building regulations, and this can include decking that does not meet the permitted planning criteria. A raised deck or platform of a certain height, for example, might also be required to have suitable balustrade railings for safety.

You can make sure that you meet the relevant regulations in a number of ways, such as:

• Getting a registered tradesman to build the deck and make an application for you. They know the rules and regulations better than anyone, so this can save valuable time.
• You can arrange for a building control body (BCB) to check over your plans before the build takes place. This can be arranged by a tradesman if they are fitting the decking.

Discover our Range of Durable Composite Decking

Dino Decking’s versatile and functional composite decking is available in various colours and configurations, offering the perfect solution for any outdoor space. Order your free composite decking samples or get in touch for assistance from our experienced team.

For a complete look, discover our range of composite fencing and decking balustrade railings, designed to complement your decking.