Decking

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.
• None of the decking or platform is on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation.

In certain areas, additional limitations apply:

• In National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage Sites the maximum area to be covered more than 20 metres from the house is limited to 10 square metres.
• On Article 2(3) designated land* no decking or platform is permitted either side of the house.
• Within the curtilage of a listed building, no decking or platform is permitted.

If the decking forms part of a larger piece of work (e.g. an extension with additional decking), then there may be different/further rules which apply to the entire development. These could mean planning permission or prior approval is required.

Please note: The permitted development allowances described here apply to houses and not to:

• Flats and maisonettes (view our guidance on flats and maisonettes¹) 
• Converted houses or houses created through the ‘permitted development’ rights for:
  • ‘Changes of use’ (Schedule 2, Part 3, Classes G; M; MA; N; P; PA and Q) (as detailed in our change of use section²)
  • ‘New Dwellinghouses’ (Schedule 2, Part 20)
• Other buildings
• Areas where there may be a planning condition, Article 4 Direction or other restriction that limits permitted development rights.

If you are unsure, you are advised to contact your Local Planning Authority for guidance before starting any work.

Find your local planning authority ^{(https://www.planningportal.co.uk/find-your-local-planning-authority)}

Further information

These rules summarise the text of Schedule 2, Part 1, Class E of the The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015³ (as amended⁴).

Detailed advice on complying with these rules, illustrative examples and further explanations of the terminology used is provided by government in the ‘Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance⁵’.

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/flats-and-maisonettes
2. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/change-of-use
3. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/596/schedule/2/part/1/crossheading/class-e-buildings-etc-incidental-to-the-enjoyment-of-a-dwellinghouse
4. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/changes/affected/uksi/2015/596
5. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permitted-development-rights-for-householders-technical-guidance