I'm not spending £3000 on what is effectively a gate so please can I have any suggestions?!

[InstrumentsofTorture]

I've recently moved to a house where there's a front door, a side gate leading to the back garden and to bifold doors giving onto the kitchen/diner, and a strange sort of back door type door at the other end of the kitchen/diner which leads out to the driveway.

The previous owners never used this door, and I didn't think I would either - but actually it's become the only door I use now because of its proximity to the driveway.

It feels a bit unsafe though because firstly the driveway has no gates and is on a fairly busy road so I feel exposed, and secondly I have dogs who would shoot out given a chance (I currently have a stair gate there). So I thought maybe a metal/wrought iron security gate on the inside could be a solution.

Well not at £3000 it's not! Can't afford that sort of money so am back to square one. Does anyone have any ideas/suggestions/solutions please?

Thank you so much for the ideas.

It just feels like there's not enough of a barrier between me and the rest of the world! If I'm sitting on the sofa, the outside isn't far enough away! Maybe it's because I've moved from a traditional Edwardian semi to a 1960's bungalow and I haven't adapted.

I'll go take some pictures (although might be too dark).

I'm sorry to break it to you, but I think we need a diagram.

For 3k I'd be wanting a proper porch! Not an iron gate.

Even with the updates I still don’t understand 🤷🏻‍♀️

Right - first picture is taken live from my sofa!

Sorry - trying again.

Ideally this is what I'd like but can't afford it.

Do you have in writing, the exact reason why you need planning permission for the gates? I would be checking this throughly to make sure it really is the case.

Get used to locking your door if you feel insecure. Maybe a security light and camera? Also get a cage/section off another area to put dogs in if someone comes to door/you put rubbish out etc

Maybe park the car closer to the door in the interim?

Have a look at Perfect Fit blinds and shutters for a more complete block out of what's behind the door. Also good for the cold radiwting off the glass!

Or just a new door with less glass?

@WittyMotherhoodRelatedPun we don't really have shutter doors here in any sense of them being common, which is a nuisance as I want some for my house!

A very cheap stopgap alternative to gates is 2 freestanding expanding trellis, assuming you can affix it to both the house and whatever lines the other side of the drive. We fixed them to the brickwork with brackets and strong wire and to a fencepost on the other side, a simple hook and latch will keep them together in the middle. They were surpisingly sturdy.
Ours were like this
https://www.vidaxl.co.uk/e/vidaxl-trellis-fence-solid-firwood-1.8x1-m-grey/8719883979403.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA29auBhBxEiwAnKcSqifvBUI7rRqYCIOEIixZct0ULKxj7jbnpZC7ZzDhFqu4KwuTsMGuCBoCAW8QAvD_BwE

In my old house I wanted to install wrought iron drive gates but wasn't prepared to pay that sort of money. I found some on eBay for £40 and got a local handyman to fit them. They needed painting but I got a wire brush drill attachment and took all the paint off then repainted in black Hammerite. They looked as good as new

Use the bifolds that the previous owners always used. I'd prefer a short walk to the car/drive than expensive outlays on doors, bars, G8s, gates and so on.

The simplest solution is often the wisest one.

When you have your roof done and save up some more, then let the porch begin!

I think the issue is it's not a sturdy door, it's more if a secondary door you'd have into a porch. Replace the door with a sturdy non glass door with a 5 lever or chub lock. If it's going to be your front door make it a suitable front door.

Even if you do need planning permission in theory, I'd probably just wing it. The worst that can happen is that they make you take the gates down, and I bet no one ever notices. Unless the roof is actively leaking, I'd buy the gates first, to keep the dogs safe.

According to Google:

Unless in a conservation area:
You will not need to apply for planning permission if you wish to erect a new; or alter, maintain, improve or take down* an existing fence, wall or gate if the following conditions are met:

• in regard to its height:
• it is next to a highway used by vehicles (or the footpath of such a highway) and it would not exceed one metre in height (from ground level); or

How about something like this? If it’s fitted on the outside, you could have the actual door open in hot weather but still be secure.
https://thesteelgallery.co.uk/products/metal-gate-in-diamond-design-aluminium-garden-gate?variant=43819622007041

I'd put a gate on driveway, would be much nicer than metal door grille. Im also in a conservation area, and for a gate Id not worry - assuming your looking at something reasonably unobtrusive, particularly as youre not actually in the conservation area itself. If push came to shove, you would apply retrospectively, or remive it altogether.

My neighbour had one fitted recently. £600. Your estimate is crazy.

Yes you surely can install a gate without planning permission. Go for it!

have you spoken to planning or is it something you’ve been told. There maybe a compromise in there somewhere with them which doesn’t require it.

Thanks again for further ideas.

No, I haven't actually spoken to the planning department but my neighbours told me I'd need it - they had to get it before doing their gates. It's worth a call though isn't it? Would ultimately look better than my idea of a metal gate.

I'll do some more research tomorrow. I'm very grateful for everyone's input.

you walk straight into the kitchen/diner from the drive, which is open to the road.

That's what doors do, take you from inside to out, it doesn't need fortifying. Sure some people have porches but some people's doors open from a lounge right onto the street. You've got a driveway out there between you and the road. I think you're over-worrying about the security/exposure side of things. Dog safety-wise, the stairgate/dog-gate should be enough until you save up for the gates out front.

Yes I’d speak to planning. They might have needed planning for what they were doing but they might have another solution.