20 Sep Do I need planning permission for my electric gate?

Do I need planning permission for my electric gate?

Planning permission exists to ensure that construction works don’t negatively impact local areas, sites of historical interest or environmental health. It can apply to both public spaces and private properties.

When it comes to installing automated electric gates at your home or business premises, most of the time you won’t need planning permission. But there are some situations in which it’s required.

When does an electric gate need planning permission?

According to Planning Portal, a prominent source of planning and building regulations information in England, you’ll need planning permission to install an electric gate if:

• Your gate would be over one metre high and next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway)
• Your gate would be over two metres high anywhere else
• Your right to put up or alter fences, walls and gates is removed by an article 4 direction or a planning condition
• Your property is a listed building or in the curtilage of a listed building
• Your gate forms a boundary with a neighbouring listed building or its curtilage

If even one of these conditions applies, you’ll need to request planning permission from your local planning authority. This is typically your local council. If you start work before receiving planning permission, you might be asked to remove your gate and related infrastructure if your application is refused.

However, if you’re just looking to automate an existing gate, you won’t need planning permission.

Are there any other times when planning permission might be required?

As we mentioned earlier, planning permission exists to protect the surrounding area and those who use it. So even when none of those five conditions applies to you, it’s still a good idea to contact your local planning authority.

For example, imagine your property is several decades or even centuries old and you want to install a super-modern gate. Since the aesthetics are likely to clash, your installation might be considered to harm the local character of your area. This is a particular concern if you live in a designated area such as a Conservation Area, National Park, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or World Heritage Site. Here, the criteria for new developments are much stricter.

If you don’t live in a designated area, your automated electric gates will probably come under the category of permitted development. That means you won’t need planning permission to install your gates.

How can I ensure top-quality electric gate installation?

Since you’re looking into planning permission, it’s clear that you care about getting things done properly. So it stands to reason that you’ll want to finding a reliable electric gate installer.

AG Automation is fully insured, and accredited by the Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme. We never subcontract work, and each of our gates carries a 12-month guarantee to give you total confidence. Our team has designed and installed hundreds of hardwood, metal and industrial electric gates across Hungerford, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire over the last 25 years. And now we want to do the same for you.

Contact our expert customer service team today for top-quality electric gate installation that meets all regulations.