Is Planning Permission Required To Install Composite Decking?

The question of whether you need planning permission or not looms heavily on any outdoor project. With decking, many homeowners and businesses alike will risk prospective applications, but these can be rejected if they breach certain building stipulations. Should such permission be denied, it will result in you being forced to dismantle your composite decking project entirely, which would be a huge waste of both time and money.

With this in mind, it is best to do your due diligence before embarking on your own decking project. Whilst we must stress that more specific decking designs may need to be double checked with your local council prior to physical installation, in this article, we will outline when a decking build will need planning permission, and when it falls under the umbrella of a minor addition. Let’s take a look…

Generally speaking, you will not need planning permission to build a new decking area, as they are seen as only a minor addition to your property. These kinds of changes are called “permitted developments,” as long as the builds are restricted to the boundaries of your own property. To keep your project within the confines of a permitted development, your decking should not cover any more than 50% of your garden space and should be less than 30cm in height.

However, there are still rules to follow within the margins of a permitted development and crossing them will result in the necessity to apply for more specific planning permission. For example, your decking project should not restrict the view of any neighbours bordering your property. Similarly, a deck built in a front garden or driveway may need further permission, as these are more likely to be situated near a main road.

As stated, a decking area over 30cm above the ground and/or covers more than 50% of your garden space will need planning permission. Any raised decking, even spaces that seem lower to the ground, can result in a fall risk, especially for those with limited mobility, such as the disabled or elderly. In fact, any decking higher than 59cm will need to be fitted with a balustrade handrail in accordance with building regulations. This will include decking with tiered steps leading to the main platform.

To make your raised composite decking projects safer, we recommend bordering your deck area with our composite balustrades to keep your space in line with health and safety regulations. These are incredibly durable, and colour-matched to perfectly pair with the aesthetic of your composite decking boards. It is best to factor these safety features into your project’s budget from the get-go, so you are not hit by additional costs further down the line should your decking build not meet regulatory standards.

There are certain builds where the planning permission rules may be far stricter, for example, if you live in a listed building or in a conservation area. In both of these instances, there may even be regulations concerning the material and aesthetic of any extension or materials used, so it does not take away from the historical value of the property. It is best to ensure you are granted the appropriate permissions for any listed properties before you begin your builds, as ignoring the rules about what can be built can result in your project being dismantled, as well as a fine.

If you are still uncertain about planning permission restrictions, we recommend visiting the government website for a more detailed understanding. An extension made to a listed building will need full written consent before the project can proceed. These kinds of extensions are only granted if you can successfully argue that your build will be “in keeping” with the character of the original development. Should you decide on modern composite decking for a listed project, choosing a more naturalistic tone such as teak, chocolate or antique may improve your chances of approval.