Do I need planning permission for gates/fences/walls?
You will not need planning permission unless the structure will be:
Additional Points
You may need to apply for planning permission if you live in an Article 4 Direction Area. Please refer to leaflets "Article 4 Direction, A Householders Guide to the Legislation".
Even if you live in a relatively new property, such as the Napsbury or Hill End/Cell Barnes Lane developments, it is possible that permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition imposed upon your house before it was built and you may need planning permission. The history of your property must be checked before undertaking any external alterations, in order to determine whether your permitted development rights have been removed.
If your home is a Listed Building you will need Listed Building consent.
Planning permission is not needed for hedges, shrubs and trees unless there is a condition attached to the planning permission for your property which restricts the planting of hedges or trees (for example, on an "open plan'' estate or where a sight line might be blocked), you will need to obtain the Council's consent to relax or remove the condition before planting a hedge or tree screen. If you are unsure about this, you can check with the Planning Department of the Council.
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Do I need planning permission for a vehicle cross-over (drop kerb to allow car into driveway)?
You will need planning permission for a cross-over if:
Additional Points
Even if you do not need planning permission you will need the separate approval of Hertfordshire Highways. (Tel: 01438 737320/01923 471320).
You may need to apply for planning permission if you live in an Article 4 Direction Area. Please refer to leaflets "Article 4 Direction, A Householders Guide to the Legislation".
If your home is a Listed Building you will need Listed Building consent.
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Do I need planning permission for a hard standing or patio?
If you live in a flat or maisonette you may need to apply for planning permission to build a hard standing or patio.
If you live in a house you do not need to apply for planning permission for a hard standing or patio if it is to be used for domestic purposes and is not in your front garden. Decking or raised platforms are also permitted provided they are no more than 30cm above ground level and together with other extensions, outbuildings etc, the decking or platforms cover no more than 50 per cent of the garden area.
From 1 October 2008 new rules apply for householders wishing to pave over their front gardens.
You will NOT need planning permission if a new driveway uses permeable (or porous) surfacing, which allows water to drain through, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally.
If the surface to be covered is more than 5 square metres, planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not control rainwater running off onto roads.
Additional Points
You may need to apply for planning permission if you live in an Article 4 Direction Area. Please refer to leaflets "Article 4 Direction, A Householders Guide to the Legislation".
Even if you live in a relatively new property, such as the Napsbury or Hill End/Cell Barnes Lane developments, it is possible that permitted development rights have been removed by a planning condition imposed upon your house before it was built and you may need planning permission. The history of your property must be checked before undertaking any external alterations, in order to determine whether your permitted development rights have been removed.
If your home is a Listed Building you will need Listed Building consent.
Back to the top