When you start making improvements to your property, there are lots of things to take into consideration. Not only will you be thinking about style, practicalities and cost, but you’ll also need to consider any legal implications of the changes you’re making. One of the questions we’re asked is whether you need planning permission for bifold doors in South Wales, so we thought we would take a look at the laws and what you need to think about as part of your project.
When do you need planning permission?
The law currently states you will need planning permission if you want to build something new, make a major change to your existing building or change its use. This applies if you are based in England or Wales and permission can be obtained through your local planning authority.
However, many properties are covered by what is known as ‘permitted development rights’. In a domestic setting, these rights apply to projects that will have no impact on your neighbours or the environment, and bifold doors often fall into this category.
Planning permission for bifold doors
In most cases, installing bifold doors in Cardiff is considered as part of your permitted development rights if the change doesn’t significantly alter the structure or appearance of your home. However, it’s important to remember there are still conditions and limits attached to this. If the only change you’re making is adding or replacing bifold doors, you’re unlikely to be affected, however, if they’re part of a larger extension, then planning permission may be necessary.
It can be a complicated situation, so the best approach is to check with your local council or planning office before you start your project to find out whether your bifold doors fall within the permitted guidelines.
What if my bifold doors are part of an extension?
If you’re building an extension and adding bifold doors to it, then planning permission is more likely to be needed. This is usually governed by the size of the extension, how far away it is from the boundary of your property and whether it alters the original structure of the property itself. If your extension is adding more than three metres to the back of a terraced house or four metres to a detached house, then you will typically need planning permission.
Adding bifold doors to listed buildings
If you live in a listed building, then you may find that the rules around planning permission are a lot stricter. This means any significant change to the structure of the building will require permission, even if it’s only a small modification, so it may be necessary if you want to install bifold doors. This is to maintain the historical character of the building, so modern features like bifold doors may not be in keeping with the rest of the property. Therefore, you will need to apply for listed building consent, and your local council may impose some conditions or restrictions on the size or style of your bifold doors.
Bifold doors that don’t need planning permission
Most of the time your bifold doors will not need planning permission, particularly if you are making a like-for-like replacement. Therefore, swapping French doors or sliding doors for aluminium bifold doors will be much more straightforward as long as it doesn’t alter the overall look of your home or affect your neighbours in any way.
Aluminium bifold doors are now an incredibly popular feature in many different styles of homes, and here at Falcon Installations we offer some of the highest quality examples. We offer a personalised service across South Wales, so we can provide expert advice on all aspects of your bifold door installation. We recognise that every situation is unique so it’s often worthwhile talking to the planning office at your local council to ensure you’re always on the right side of any regulations. To find out more about what we offer and how we can help you, pop into our Bridgend showroom or give us a call on 01656 646 047.
