Brick Entrance Porches: Open, Enclosed, and Permitted Development Rules
A porch under 3m2 with a height under 3m often falls within permitted development. Here is what you can build without a planning application.
An entrance porch is one of the few external additions to a house that can often be built without planning permission. Under the 2015 GPDO, Schedule 2, Part 1, Class D, a porch is permitted development if it meets three criteria: the floor area does not exceed 3 square metres (measured externally), the height does not exceed 3 metres, and no part of the porch is within 2 metres of a boundary with a highway.
Open Porch Designs
An open porch uses low brick walls (typically 600mm high) or brick piers to support a roof canopy. The open sides keep the structure feeling light and welcoming. We often combine brick piers with an oak frame or green oak beam above, creating a feature that blends traditional materials with a contemporary feel. The brick piers need foundations appropriate for the soil type; on clay soils, even a small pier needs a foundation to at least 600mm.
Enclosed Porches
An enclosed porch adds a door and windows to create a buffer zone between the outside and the hallway. This is particularly useful in winter for shedding muddy boots and wet coats. The brickwork can match the main house, and the roof can be pitched, flat, or lean-to depending on the style of the property.
Brick and Timber Combinations
Curved brick walls flanking the entrance, combined with an oak or timber frame canopy, create a distinctive arrival point. See our article on curved brick walls for the technical detail on building curves.
View our bricklaying services or get in touch to discuss entrance feature ideas for your home.