Dear Joe,
This is a very quick reply as I'm still running my calibrations and I have to go down to the cleanroom to take another point in a few minutes. I like your alternative design, although as you say, there is not a lot of headroom. I am limited by planning permission to something which is close to the original in height, width and depth. A little more overhang might not be a problem though. I have gone for side walls to provide a little more shelter and to complement the inner porch. I will try and illustrate this by creating a view looking through the front door.
Bruce, strangely enough my house is not listed even though the houses either side are listed. However, I am in a Conservation Area, which limits what I can do. The Planning Office took an immediate dislike to the front door being moved to the entrance of the porch and so I knew I wouldn't get planning permission for that. I do have planning permission for all the other modification, including a new kitchen and bathroom out the back and the removal of an internal wall. My house is the only one in the street with a porch and so I couldn't follow his logic that moving the front door would affect the aesthetic appeal of the street. Planners! I will have to check that it is okay to panel the sides. They may want me to rebuild in the same style as the original, in which case Joe...
The porch is a much under-rated structure, and a nice design can greatly enhance the appearance of a dwelling. The English Porch would make a great topic for a book as they are many and varied, particularly in Oxfordshire.
To everyone who has posted replies, thank you for your kind advice and many comments.
Regards,
Bob