Driveway - council permission

[Drivewaydreams]

Hi, we have come across a property we like but it doesn’t have a driveway. My guess is it’s because on the utilities in front of the property. Anyone know if the council are likely to drop the kerb and make it a proper driveway? Thoughts would be appreciated thank you.

I’m not sure if it depends on the council but I know ours are funny and don’t approve of it where it crosses like this

Ask the owner if they have ever applied and been refused. Being on a bend will go against it, as well as the cost to move utilities. What is the white line for?

I would say unlikely as it’s on a bend

You will be able to call up the local authority and ask, they can give you feedback for free

Could you put a driveway in your back yard around the corner? Would that get you distance from the bend? A driveway doesn’t have to be at the front.

And I would plant plenty of high plants along the fence line for privacy and pollution reduction.

At the end of the day only the LA can give you the definitive answer but my gut feeling is it being a no.

Agree with the PP about getting access to the rear of the property.
What is the road that goes around the corner, a public highway or access to something? If it is public highway then there is more of a chance to them agreeing to that but if it is private I expect it will also be a no go.

What do the houses currently do for parking, is there a garage block at the rear?

We have just had a driveway done. We couldn't have it in the front garden as although we are not near the junction we on on the curve of a road so not enough visibility.
Luckily we also have a road at the back of the houses
(and all the houses have garages at the end of the back gardens) which doesnt have a pavement so we put the parking spaces in the back garden instead.

We paid £25 to the council for an enquiry - they came back to confirm we didnt need a dropped kerb, planning permission (or building regs as getting garage rebuilt). well worth the £25 for piece of mind that we were abiding by council rules. They did say that they didnt want us to use gravel as it ends up on the roads and that we needed to use a suitable material with drainage - went for resin).

Each council will be different and it will be dependant on your exact loaction and plot - eg our report said that they encourage the creation of off road parking due to the issues on our area from the rugby club parking.

@LovelyBitOfSquirrrel thank you. I have called the council and they say they can’t confirm until an application is submitted. This is a shame.. the current owners park at the back of the property but I’m afraid that won’t do for me. The house cost a lot to have parking at the back and we also have little kids so it’s just not ideal really

@Nourishinghandcream this is what the side of the property looks like… it’s sadly looking unlikely. The current owners park right the back of the property which wouldn’t work for us. Thank you anyway 😩

Did you ask on what basis the dropped kerb applications are considered? If not it may give you a tick list to know if likely or not. I don’t think it’d be acceptable tbh on the basis of the bend and how set back the properties are

Does it cost to put in an application?

Assuming you own that bit with the higher fence too - that's your better option I think, and I'd then bring your usable garden further round to the front and use that land more. Maybe put up hedging to give you more privacy there from the street.

@sbplanet yes it does which I don’t actually mind paying but we aren’t the legal owners so I don’t think we can actually put in an application for anything.

You would have to pay to get the kerb dropped. Councils are a bit funny about driveways these days, a lot more water run off overloading drains and suchlike. You might have to install a soakaway to take the run off as well and they might just say no.

Agree a drive to the side might be more feasible.

@JurassicPark4Eva please pardon my horrible drawing but do you mean something like this?

Oh is that as far as the garden goes? I thought it might have the full length of that fence run. This will likely still be much too close to the speed hump then.

My council publish the guidance online for an application, worth a look for yours too.

Anyone can put in a planning application, you don’t need to own the property to apply.

You don't need to be the owner of a property to apply for planning permission or any other type of planning application.
Have you checked to see whether the dropped kerb might be permitted development? You can find advice on the planning portal website.
If it is permitted development you'd probably still need permission from the highways part of the council but at least you'd know the planning side didn't need an application

To add though, I am on a planning committee and having seen the updated photos, there is no way we would approve an application so close to that bend.

It’s way too close to the bend in the road and junction I’m afraid. Highways wouldn’t permit it.

It probably needs to be clear of that white line. How far along does the property extend?

Why doesnt parking at the back suit you? Is there no back access? Parking away from a busy road is actually better with small children!!

It will also be an issue with the proximity to the street furniture as well as the junction. I wouldn’t advise you buy if this is a deal breaker for you

@TheFlis ha thank you that’s all I needed to hear. I’m going to have to pull out methinks.