Roger Mills wrote:
In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
The Medway Handyman wrote:

Last October the rules changed and any 'deck' more than 30cm above
the 'ground' needs planning permission.

I've been communicating with my local authority, who clearly don't
understand the (prolly badly drawn) legislation.

Very common situation with new builds or extensions is that the patio
doors opening onto the garden are say 45cm above the garden level,
therefore pretty much unusable.

What I'm after is the definition of a 'deck' and 'ground'.

If I were to build a step 15cm high leading onto a deck, how big or
little would that step have to be before it became a 'deck'?


Dunno - but a reasonable interpretation may be that a step is a solid
object (Brick, concrete, etc.) whereas a deck is a raised wooden
structure with fresh air underneath.

BTW, in the first example shown in your photos, how the hell do you
get to the drains now that they're all boxed in?

Funny enough the bloke who owns the house in that picture is - a drain
cleaning guy.

The boards between the last joist & the wall plate are cut to allow removal
of a 40cm length. If there is an inspection cover we build a hatch over it.
In either case it can be accessed by removing at most 16 screws.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk