Oak frame pergola

Planning permission is an important part of any building process when it comes to enhancing or extending your property. Depending on the scale of your project, you will either need to make a planning application, or you may be able to avoid applying for planning permission if your build is within the specific limits of Permitted Development.

As experts in oak and timber construction with a speciality in pergolas and porches, we are able to produce a wide range of kits that can be created to your exact specifications, and that only requires minimal maintenance to ensure that they are beautiful and upstanding for years to come.

With any pergola that is specially designed and constructed by The Porch Specialist, we will be able to support you in regard to whether your structure requires planning permission from the get-go. From retrospective applications to any assistance needed for the specifications of your plans, we will be happy to assist you throughout the entirety of your pergola journey.

What to Consider Before Building a Pergola

Once you have chosen your perfect oak framed pergola, you will then need to look at the practical considerations. The first of these is the question relating to planning permission and whether or not you require it for your installation.

Typically, pergola structures do not need planning permission. Under the Permitted Development Rights, the following rules must be adhered to when installing a pergola:

  • You must not use more than 50% of the land surrounding the original house for outbuildings and garden building
  • You must not install a pergola forward of the front wall of the house, known as the principal elevation
  • Your pergola can be no higher than four metres, or three metres if you are installing it within two metres of the boundary you share with your neighbour
  • Pergolas cannot be added to verandas, balconies or raised platforms

These factors are imperative to the legality of your pergola and are the rules that you should be most aware of when planning any sort of installation work on the grounds of your property. There are separate allowances for flats, maisonettes and other areas where there may be a planning condition.
If you require any specific information about your property, please contact your local authority or check planning permission and building regulations with GOV.UK.

Do Pergolas Need Planning Permission?

Swing Hanging On A Pergola Covering A Wooden Deck

Unfortunately, there is no straightforward yes or no answer to whether or not your particular pergola will require planning permission. There are a number of aspects of your pergola that you are able to exercise creative freedom to customise.

In terms of the height of your pergola, the further away your installation is from the boundary of your property, the better:

  • Within 2m of the boundary, the maximum height of your pergola must be no more than 2.5m (8’2”).
  • Further away from the boundary, the height of your pergola can be 3m (9’10”).
  • A pitched-roof structure (an A-shaped roof) can be no higher than 4m high (13’).

Your pergola will require planning permission if any of the following criteria apply to you:

  • Your pergola must not cover more than half of the area of your land.
  •  You will require planning permission if your pergola is at the front of your house.
  • You will need planning permission if your pergola is in a conservation area or on the side of your house between the boundary wall.

In most cases, due to the average size and diameter of a pergola, your oak-framed pergola will not require planning permission. However, it is important to check that all of the regulations are considered when planning your structure.

Planning Permission for a Listed Building

Modern Trendy Design Pergola Arbor Made Of Metal And Plastic Par

If your property is a listed building, you will always need planning permission. The rules for listed buildings differ slightly from regular residential properties. The consent required for a listed building is known as Listed Building Consent and is necessary for any installation that could potentially affect a listed building’s character as a building of architectural or historical interest.

Work such as extensions, demolition and alterations need to have Listed Building Consent as well as permission from your local planning authority. If you are unsure if your building is listed, or you are looking to confirm the permissions required for your listed building, your local planning authority will be able to advise you further.


Your Bespoke Timber Framed Pergola

With a choice of Q-marked Douglas-fir timber or green oak, your pergola from The Porch Specialist is guaranteed to be a beautifully timeless addition to your property. We offer a unique service that ensures all projects are completed within a time frame that suits you, and in return, you will receive the highest quality oak framed structure that offers charm, appeal and durable weather protection for your home.
If you are interested in our existing range of porches and pergolas, feel free to view our gallery, or get in touch with a member of our team today to discuss your bespoke pergola creation. Ready to deliver within 6-8 weeks of your final design confirmation, our team is available to assist you throughout the entirety of your pergola project.