Do I need planning permission to install gates? If you are considering a new gate installation, you may be concerned about planning requirements. Secure Automation provide electric gate installations throughout Newcastle and Tyne and Wear. This article looks at planning permission for gateposts and planning permission requirements in in conservation areas.

Do You Need Planning Permission For A New Gate?

Whether you need planning permission for a new gate installation is a question that is commonly asked. The issue is that there isn't a straightforward answer. There are many variables at play that can determine whether planning permission is necessary or not. 

Planning permission as an idea was put in place for a wide variety of different reasons. It exists in order to prevent any kind of development to a site of historical interest which would have a negative impact. The same applies to environmental health and an area's local character. 

Planning permission is also in place so that the public's interests, such as the use of public spaces, are protected. This also applies to the public's private dwelling. 

You can use these reasons for why planning permission exists as a framework for why your potential project would be accepted or rejected. 

For example, if you were planning on building a raised deck that would unintentionally allow you to see right over your neighbour's fence and into their garden, then in all likelihood, your planning permission application would be rejected. This is because it would affect the neighbour's enjoyment of their own private space.

Are Electric Gates Worth It?

Planning Permission for Gateposts

When you plan to build a gate on your property, you should keep in mind that ornamental gateposts are subject to the same rules as other forms of gates, walls, and fences.

You will need to apply for planning permission if you wish to construct or add to a gate, wall, or fence if:

• The gate, wall, or fence would be over a metre in height and next to a highway which is used by vehicles; or over two metres high elsewhere; 
• Your right to erect or alter gates, walls, or fences is taken away by an article 4 direction or a planning condition; 
  
• Your home is a listed building or in the enclosure of a listed building
  
• The gate, wall, fence, or any other boundary involved, creates a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage.
  

It is also worth thinking about that planning permission rules and regulations vary between different local authorities and regions. You should always check with your local authority before work commences. 

Though it may seem like a pain, it is always much easier to get permission first and then use the planning permission rules as a guideline, rather than begin building without permission and then having to tear the whole project down. 

Gates & Permitted Development

If your gates open onto a private road or an unadopted road, then you can erect a gate system that goes up to the height of 2 metres without any kind of planning permission. 

If the gate you are planning will open into a highway or a pavement on the highway, then the gate can only be the height of 1 metre or lower, otherwise, planning permission will be required.

If your property already had a gate, fence or wall in the location you were planning to erect your new gate, then planning permission will not need to be requested as you will simply be replacing what is already an existing feature of the same or similar height. 

To put this in more simple terms, if you are replacing a gate that already exists, that is of the same height or higher, then you won't need planning permission.

If the new gate is higher than the gate that was previously in its space, then planning permission will be necessary. If you are planning to install a gate in an entirely new location for the first time, where there was no gate previously, then it can be 1 metre in height if next to a highway, and 2 metres high in other locations.

Planning Permission In Conservation Areas

If you have doubts about how legal your new gate system will be once installed, due to living on, next to, or within the curtilage of a listed building or area, then you should always seek professional advice. 

In a conservation area planning permission is required for many of the construction or destruction decisions you may want to make. 

Planning permission will be required in order to take down a gate or alter the front of a property in any way at all. If the plan is to create a perfect replica of a gate that already exists, then there will be no issues, but once the question of existing aesthetics comes into the situation, then planning permission is absolutely required.