A patio can transform the way you use your garden, creating space for outdoor dining, seating, entertaining and everyday family use. Many patios are straightforward, but planning issues can arise where the patio is raised, close to boundaries, changes garden levels or forms part of a larger landscaping project.

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Ground-level patios may often be treated differently from raised platforms, terraces or decking. Planning Portal guidance says decking or other raised platforms may be permitted development only where they are no more than 30cm above ground level, do not cover more than 50% of the garden area together with other buildings and extensions, and are not forward of the principal elevation.

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Planning issues can arise where:

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• A patio is raised above garden level

• The patio, terrace or platform is more than 30cm high

• The garden is sloping and levels need to be altered

• Retaining walls, steps or raised edges are proposed

• The patio is close to a boundary or neighbour

• The patio may create overlooking into neighbouring gardens

• The patio is forward of the main front wall of the house

• A large area of hard landscaping is proposed

• Drainage or surface water run-off needs to be considered

• The property is in a conservation area

• The property is listed or within the setting of a listed building

• The works are part of a wider extension, garden room or landscaping project

• The council needs drawings to confirm the planning position

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Ask PAS About Patio Plans and Drawings

 

Patio applications often depend on clear drawings because the council needs to understand the finished height, layout, levels and relationship to neighbouring properties.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) can prepare patio plans, garden layout drawings and supporting information to help explain the proposal clearly.

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PAS can help show:

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• The existing garden layout

• The proposed patio position

• The size and shape of the patio

• The finished height above ground level

• Existing and proposed garden levels

• Steps, retaining walls and raised edges

• The relationship to boundaries and neighbours

• The materials and surface finish

• Drainage or water run-off arrangements

• Whether the patio may need planning permission

• Whether a lawful development certificate may be suitable

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PAS can prepare plans and drawings for:

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• Rear garden patios

• Raised patios

• Garden terraces

• Outdoor seating areas

• Paved dining areas

• Patios linked to house extensions

• Patios linked to garden rooms

• Patios with steps or retaining walls

• Sloping garden patio layouts

• Large hard-landscaped garden areas

• Patio and decking combinations

• Patio projects in conservation areas

• Retrospective patio planning applications

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Raised Patios, Garden Levels and Overlooking

 

Raised patios need particular care because even a modest change in level can affect privacy and overlooking.

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A low patio close to existing ground level may be relatively simple. A raised terrace, platform or patio on a sloping site may create a very different planning position, especially if it gives a higher viewing point into a neighbour’s garden or windows.

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PAS can help prepare drawings that show:

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• Existing ground levels

• Proposed finished patio levels

• Height above surrounding ground

• Boundary fence or wall positions

• Steps, retaining walls and edge details

• Relationship to neighbouring gardens

• Whether screening or design changes may be needed

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This can be especially important where the council wants to understand whether the patio is more like a normal ground-level paved area or a raised platform.

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Drainage and Hard Landscaping

 

Patios and paving can also raise drainage questions, particularly where large areas of hard surface are proposed.

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For front gardens and driveway-style paving, Planning Portal guidance says planning permission is not needed where a new or replacement surface uses permeable surfacing, or where water is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally. Impermeable surfacing over 5 square metres that does not drain to a permeable area may need planning permission.

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Government guidance on permeable surfacing explains that householders may need plans drawn to scale when applying for permission for non-permeable front garden surfacing.

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PAS can help show:

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• The proposed paving area

• Permeable and non-permeable surfaces

• Drainage direction

• Lawn, planting or soakaway areas

• Relationship to the house, garden and boundaries

• Whether the patio forms part of a wider hard-landscaping scheme

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What a Patio Planning Package May Include

 

The exact information depends on the project, but a typical patio planning package may include:

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• Site location plan

• Block plan

• Existing garden layout

• Proposed patio layout

• Existing and proposed levels

• Section drawings through the patio where needed

• Boundary information

• Retaining wall or step details where needed

• Materials notes

• Surface water and drainage notes

• Photos of the existing garden

• Photos showing neighbouring context

• Supporting planning notes

• Lawful development certificate support where appropriate

• Planning application submission support

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A clear patio drawing package helps the council understand the size, height, level changes and impact of the proposal before works are carried out.

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Why Professional Support Helps

 

Patios are often seen as simple garden projects, but planning problems can arise when height, levels, drainage or neighbour impact are not properly considered.

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Professional support can help you avoid:

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• Assuming every patio is permitted development

• Missing the 30cm raised platform issue

• Failing to show existing and proposed levels

• Creating overlooking concerns for neighbours

• Submitting unclear landscaping sketches

• Ignoring drainage or surface water run-off

• Missing conservation area or listed building restrictions

• Building first and needing a retrospective application later

• Confusing patios, decking, terraces and raised platforms

• Delays caused by council requests for clearer drawings

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PAS can help prepare the drawings and application information so the planning position is clearer before you start work.

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Full-Service Support from PAS

 

PAS can provide support from the first planning check through to the application and next stages.

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This may include:

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• Initial project review

• Patio plans and layout drawings

• Garden level drawings

• Raised patio and terrace drawings

• Retaining wall and step layout information

• Planning application support

• Lawful development certificate support

• Retrospective patio planning support

• Help responding to council queries

• Drainage and hard-landscaping notes where needed

• Structural design coordination where retaining walls or level changes require further input

• Party wall advice and services where boundary works or excavations may be involved

• Support where the patio forms part of a wider extension, garden room or landscaping project

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A patio can make a garden far more usable, but the height, levels, drainage and planning route should be checked before paving or construction work begins.

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Get expert help with your patio project

 

Whether you need patio plans, garden layout drawings, level drawings, a lawful development certificate, a planning application or retrospective planning support, Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what is needed and provide a clear quote for the right level of support.

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Tell us what you are planning, send any photos, sketches, existing drawings or landscaper details you have, and we can advise on the next steps.