Is planning permission needed when considering a Pergola in the UK?
We approached the local Councils Planning department to get an answer to this question from their perspective, in order to be as accurate as possible in the information we give alongside our own knowledge on the subject. It is of course discretionary to each individual authority but the general consensus seems to be a 'no- it is not required' for the following reasons..
Main points
- Buildings attached to the property (E.g: 'Lean-to' Pergola extensions) fixed to the original house must not exceed 50% of the premises. Therefore, a pergola would be fine to attach without planning permssion.
- Any enlargement, improvement, or alteration to a house must not exceed the height of the highest part of the roof of the existing house. Our pergolas should never reach the highest point of a properties roof so no planning permssion would be required.
Pergolas not attached to the property: Freestanding options:
-
The total area of ground around the house which will be covered by the pergolamust not exceed 50% of the total area of the premises. Our pergolas should never exceed this.
- It also states that buildings that are built for purposes incidental to the enjoyment of the house do not need planning permission.
In addition:
- As long as your residence is not within an area of conservation, covering land within a National Park, the Broads or any areas of outstanding natural beauty and within World Heritage Sites.
- For in these areas, buildings, enclosures sited on land between a side wall and the boundary of the land surrounding the house and if your pergola is more than 20m from the house and greater than 10 square metres, you will need planning permission.
So to summarise!
As our pergolas our all classed as temporary structures, never exceeding 2.5 metres height, considered for entertainment purposes only and unlikely to cover 50% of a persons premises and/or land, planning permssion would not be required.
If you are however, in any doubt, due to your own personal situation, then do consult your local authority for reassurance!
Now you are armed with some reassuring facts, take a look at our Luxury Pergola Collection, to think about which style/type may enhance your own space.
5% of any Pergola sold will be donated to Motor Neurone Disease Association via Work for Good. Help us support people affected by MND.