Decking and planning permission....

[Marmitelover55]

Our extension is nearly finished and the builders ard now building our deck flush with the internal floor and upto the bifolds. The deck goes up to the garden wall and I think will be 30cm above ground level at its highest - mostly it will be a bit less than this. The deck was on the plans we submitted for planning permission, although the height wasn't specified. The garden wall is not that high and we do now overlook our next door neighbour. I have told him that we will be putting up trellis all the way along the wall, which should help on the privacy front.

However, I am concerned that he might object and am not sure if he has grounds to or not??Our relationship is not that great at the moment due to our lengthy building works. We also have a higher deck in the bottom corner if our garden for which I think we did required planning permission, but were unaware of at the time. It was built 3 years ago and no one has objected.

Our neighbours architectural technologist is coming to see him on Monday and is a former planning officer - should I be worried? Thanks

[Seeline]

IF the decking was on the approved plans, and it has been built in accordance with those plans, there shouldn't be an issue. Government guidance on the Planning portal advises:

Do you need permission? Common Projects: Decking
(You are viewing guidance for England.)

Putting up decking, or other raised platforms, in your garden is permitted development, not needing an application for planning permission, providing:

The decking is no more than 30cm above the ground
together with other extensions, outbuildings etc, the decking or platforms cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden area.

[Marmitelover55]

Thank you. It was on the plans but no mention of height. The garden isn't quite flat so in some places it is much less than 30cm and in others quite close. Deck boards are not on yet, just the frame and it is 27cm high at its highest (I think...quite hard to measure). Can't imagine deck boards are more than 3cm thick...

[Marmitelover55]

Does the 50% include the front drive, otherwise we might be getting a bit close on that from too...?

[Marmitelover55]

Does the 50% include the front drive, otherwise we might be getting a bit close on that from too...?

[Seeline]

Sorry - just seen your replies! I don't think the front drive would be included in that figure. However, as I said originally, if it was included on the original drawings for your extension, I think it should have planning permission. Specific heights don't have to be stated if the plans are drawn to scale. If the drawings show it above 30cms and those drawings have been approved by the Council, then the decking has planning permission.

[Marmitelover55]

The drawings just show it from above with no mention of height. I think it will be 29-30mm so hopefully ok anyway... Thanks.