Dropped kerb - what's the issue?

[MummaGiles]

We're selling our house and the buyers' solicitors keep asking questions about the dropped kerb for our driveway, when it was done, do we have permissions for it etc. It was here when we moved in 5.5 years ago and I can't remember ever being told when it was done. I suspect a very long time ago. Why do they keep going on about it?! I'm really worried it's going to put a spanner in the works.

Perhaps the dropped kerb showed up on the Local Authority Search which would indicate when it was done and whether permission was granted. There would have been paperwork if it shows up on the search so it would be possible to obtain duplicates from the Council (for a fee). Alternatively, does the dropped kerb look different (i.e. different kerb stones) from others in the vicinity which might indicate the previous owners did it without seeking permission.

It's only a problem if the previous owner did it without permission, as I think you are supposed to get a dropped kerb done by council-approved suppliers so the surface can bear the weight of cars driving over it and whatever's underneath the pavement (cables, pipes etc) is therefore protected.

If the previous owner didn't have permission, you can find out yourself. This happened to us with one house we were looking to buy, and I got fed up with the shilly-shallying of solicitors etc and rang the council myself. Took about 5 minutes to get the answer. No, the previous owners hadn't got permission but the council was happy for me to apply, which I did.

Purchase later fell through, but it wasn't because of the dropped kerb!

Yep - if it is a public highway there should have been permission for works to a public highway from the Council, who would have stipulated the method/materials and often the contractor to do the works. Council should have a record of it.
If the highway concerned is a classified road (A, B or C) planning permission would also have been required. Again the Council should have a record of the application.