Do I need to get planning permission

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Planning permission for Driveways,Patios,Paving,Fencing and Decking explained on this page

The following are planning permission guidelines, It's the householders responsibility (not the installer) to apply for planning permission, if you are unsure, check with your local council.

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Planning permission for Driveways and Patios.

Driveways and Patio paving.

Planning permission is not normally required when the following apply.

The hard surface is built using a permeable building materials.(allows water through)
Standard impermeable paving can be used if the rainwater drains onto grass or borders or into a specially constructed soakaway.
The area of hard surface intended is less than 5 square metres

Back gardens are not effected by this legislation it only affects front areas, there are no restrictions on hard surfaces at or near ground level elsewhere around the house.

You may need planning permission when the following apply.

Rainwater from the impermeable hard surface of front landscaping at ground level has nowhere to run other than into a household drainage system or on to the public highway.
If the house is a listed building.

Planning permission and building regulations for decking

Decking Planning permission and building regulations

Decking in a back garden, does not normally need planning permission.

If the decking is not more than 30cm above the ground,
totaled with other extensions does not cover more than 50 per cent of the garden landscaping.

Decking around flats, maisonettes or other buildings may require planning permission. If your decking needs planning permission building regulations will almost certainly apply.

Planning permission for garden fencing

Fencing

Height:, planning permission will not be required if;

If the fencing is next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway) and it would not exceed one metre in height (from ground level)
it would not exceed two metres in height (from ground level) if elsewhere; or
if an existing fence, wall or gate already exceeds the limits above, that its height would not be increased.
no part of the site is a listed building or within the curtilage of a listed building.
no part of the fence, wall, gate or any other boundary involved, forms a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage.
the right to put up or alter fences, walls and gates has not been removed by an article four direction or a planning condition.
If any of these conditions are not met, then you will need to apply for planning permission.

What is planning permission?

Planning permission is;

Planning departments control the use of land and what's built on it. It's enforced by local planning authorities (LPAs).

Under certain circumstances householders may need to apply for planning permission when considering building an extension, converting a loft space even paving a front garden. If you build without first gaining permission you can be legally forced to have the building restored to its original.

Most extensions, loft conversions and hard landscaping won't require planning permission, guidelines and details above.

Anyone can apply and there are two types of permission you can apply for - Outline and full.

Outline permission

For a new building you can submit an outline planning application to check whether it's acceptable in principle. Permission lasts for three years.

Full permission

Full planning permission lasts for three years and work should normally start within three years or you may need to reapply.