Porch in London
Do you need planning permission for a porch in London? Here is what the permitted development rules say, how City of London Corporation’s designations change them, and what decides an application — grounded in the official guidance, quoted verbatim.
Do you need planning permission for a porch in London?
A porch is usually permitted development under Class D if it stays under 3 square metres, below 3 metres high, and at least 2 metres from any boundary fronting a highway. Whether a porch needs permission in London still depends on your exact address and the designations on it.
The starting point
A porch is usually permitted development under Class D if it stays under 3 square metres, below 3 metres high, and at least 2 metres from any boundary fronting a highway.
“This provides permitted development rights for the erection of a porch outside any external door of a house.”PD technical guidance, Class D · full text in the library → · official source →
How London’s designations apply
| Designation in London | Published |
|---|---|
| Conservation areas | 28 |
| Article 4 directions (PD removed) | 0 |
| Listed building outlines | 636 |
In a conservation area or on a listed building the appearance against the front elevation is assessed, even where the size limits are met. Counts are read live from planning.data.gov.uk; your report checks them against your exact address.
What London weighs
In a conservation area or on a listed building the appearance against the front elevation is assessed, even where the size limits are met.
As a London borough, City of London Corporation also decides against the London Plan 2021 — the strategic policy layer for all 33 boroughs — alongside national policy and its own Local Plan.
Get a planning report for your London address
A Planning Policy report reads the designations on your exact London address, quotes the City of London Corporation and national policies that apply to a porch, and — on Pro — shows decided applications nearby with outcomes.