Dropped kerb

[UnderCroft]

I'm buying a house with no driveway but a small front garden. The house sides onto the road directly with no pavement.

There is a line of kerb stones which if dropped would give access to the front garden. The garden is already paved over.

As it doesn't cross a pavement can I just get the kerb dropped by an approved contractor or are there additional restrictions or permissions I need to be aware of? Thank you for your advice.

[expatmigrant]

You need to get permission from the council. Do your NDN houses have dropped kerbs?

[johnd2]

If it's a classified road A or Be road then you'd need planning permission, otherwise just council permission from highways. They will probably want to do it themselves but might let you use their contractor.
Permission would not be a given, as they must consider pedestrian safety and sight lines when approving a cross over. Also you have to be able to drive on and off perpendicularly. The may be others I forgot, but definitely consult with the council rather than taking the above on face value.

[UnderCroft]

Where would you find out if it's an A or B road?

[UnderCroft]

The pedestrian route is to the front of the house. The road to the side goes to some garages and would be owned by me but the bit which would be dropped is general road just before the bit to the garages.

[BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou]

Check with your council. Around here we HAVE to pay the council to do it. My single car width dropped kerb cost me over £900 nearly 20 years ago so be prepared to shell out some £££££

[starbrightnight]

Placemarking because the bungalow we are hoping to buy sounds the same layout and we would want to do the same so we can park in the current front garden.

You do have to apply to the council for permission though - I know that much.

[UnderCroft]

It's whether it's planning permission or just dropped kerb permission. I'm pretty certain it's a C road having ruled out A or B roads.

[starbrightnight]

I don't think you need planning permission, just permission from the local council.

[UnderCroft]

That's my assumption but wanted to check as each has differing costs attached I need to factor in.

[johnd2]

C road would need planning too, but I was under the impression they phased out C roads and either classified them as B roads or declassified. The council would know either way, ask them. If you don't know, it's likely not classified.
I'm worried the lack of pavement will count against you, as you need enough clear space before the road to see whether anything is coming. With a pavement that's the pavement, but if your property fronts the road, then that's your neighbours gardens.
If you can speak to the right person at the council, they will know at the official and unofficial policies and could advise
Take photos, map from above and any other useful info if you go in person, or offer to email them over, just to make their life easier

[LIZS]

If it is on or near a corner then think highways would need to be involved in case it creates a blind spot. Would you have space to turn so you can emerge forwards?

[UnderCroft]

This is the front garden. 5m by 4m. It's near road that only leads to 2 garages for houses to the left of the photo. I'd pull in forwards and reverse into the garage road to go forwards into the road in front of the pavement.

[LIZS]

Is it a public road? Are there any covenants preventing conversion of front garden to hardstanding?

[UnderCroft]

Yes it's a public road but no covenants preventing conversion.

[Acorncat]

I imagine it varies by council, but mine just sent someone out to have a look (or maybe just used street view!) and issued a permit, no planning permission needed and £50. I used a contractor of my choice, £750 and it crossed a pavement.