We currently play a game at my house that I like to call ‘car dancing’ where we have to do a little in-and-out style jig with the car when someone is being hammed by another vehicle and wants to get out. It wasn’t so bad when we had two cars to tango, now that my son has a car too, the whole thing is starting to look like a Riverdance.
What I’m getting at here is that the driveway we initially converted from the very beautiful front garden carefully curated by the former owner of our Edwardian cottage is not, or perhaps never was, big enough for modern life. When we moved in, the lovely lady who lived here relied on a bicycle as her only means of transport so she had no need for a car or anything fancy. Think driveway – But we do.
We are now considering removing the hedge that separates half of the driveway from the road. This would also mean building an extended drop curb – but what does this mean? Will we be allowed to do that, and how will we get permission to carry out the work? Luckily, I had a few experts to call on, and here’s what they had to say.
Article continues below
Do you need planning permission for a dropped curb?
We live in a small village and there is a road that runs through it that only gets really a bit busy if the road closes off elsewhere. However, our driveway still goes directly through it and had to apply Driveway planning permission When we first moved in, I knew I couldn’t remove the pavement separating the road without some kind of permission.
Planning Consultant Simon Rix, Founder Planix UK Planning Consultants Ltdexplains more. “Generally, if the dropped curb is on a classified road (A, B, or C road), planning permission is required. If it is on a residential, unclassified road, you often don’t need planning permission.”
After a quick check (I used FindMyStreet) I discovered that despite being a quiet country village, my road is classed as C, which means I actually have to get planning permission.
It’s important to note that even if you don’t live on a classified road, you can’t just start taking the curb.
“Dropped curbs always require consent from the highway authority – no exceptions,” says Zaim Chowdhury, Director and Chartered Architectural Technologist (MCIAT). AC Design Solution. “Planning permission is only required separately if the road has been classified, the property is in a conservation area, or permitted development rights have been removed.”
Simon Ricks is a professional planning consultant who began his career working in local government in the 1990s. He was a council officer and later an elected councillor, so he knows how the planning system works from both sides. He founded Planix.UK Planning Consultants Ltd; A consultancy company that advises self builders, home extenders and small to medium sized building project takers on planning permission.
Zaim Chowdhury, MCIAT, is Director of AC Design Solutions, a multidisciplinary practice providing architecture, structural engineering and party wall services across London and the UK.
When do you not need planning permission for a dropped curb?
Although it may seem that I have to apply for planning permission to build the dropped curb required to create a new entrance to my own driveway, this is not the case for everyone.
“For many unclassified residential roads, this falls under Approved development – if it’s not a listed building or in a conservation area with certain restrictions,” Simon Rix confirms.
As mentioned earlier, however, you must still obtain consent from the local highways authority if you opt out of a planning application.
How do you get curb planning permission?
If your drop curb is required Planning permissionYou must submit an application to your local planning authority.
Most applications are made online via your local authority website. You will usually need to go to ‘Application for permission to construct a vehicular access crossing’. Once there, as well as providing details of the work, you will need to provide them with a sketch or plan showing the location and dimensions of the planned work as well as a photo of the site.
There are a number of criteria that local authorities take into account when deciding whether to grant permission, including:
- Whether the released curb will endanger or obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- that Drainage Where the driveway slopes towards the highway is considered
- An approved contractor will be used
- That there is sufficient space on the driveway so that the vehicle does not overhang the footway, does not block any doors and can be safely entered and exited from the driveway.
- Certain parameters must be adhered to in order for a vehicle to stand firmly in front of the property – it is important to note that a drop curb is rarely permitted to provide full-width access.
How much does it cost to apply for abandoned curb planning permission?
Don’t forget to consider the cost of the application in your overall Driveway expenses.
According to Paula Higgins, Chief Executive Homeowners AssociationIt can be difficult to accurately predict costs at the beginning of a project. “Costs vary widely depending on the site and complexity, but usually include a few components,” explains Paula Higgins, who goes on to break this down.
- Application/Assessment Fee: Around £100–£300
- Engineer inspection: Around £435
- Construction Cost: Usually £1,500–£3,000 on average, but costs can go as high as £16,000 in complex cases.
“Costs depend on the material and size of the crossover, any changes in traffic management, whether utilities (water, gas, telecom) need to be moved, obstructions such as trees or street furniture, ground conditions and drainage requirements,” continues Paula. “If utilities need to be shifted, you have to contact the provider yourself and cover that cost separately.
“In most cases, the process starts with the council inspecting the site and providing a cost estimate. You must pay in advance before the work starts. If the work costs more than expected, you will be billed for the difference, and if it costs less, you will get a refund.”
After spending 15 years reforming housing policy in government, enough was enough. Homeowners needed a voice and the Homeowners Alliance was born.
What if you are denied a permit for a dropped curb?
Now that I know I’ll need permission, I’m a bit worried – can it be refused? Paula Higgins has some bad news for me. ” Yes – and refusals are not uncommon. The council takes a safety-first approach when assessing applications.
“Even if it seems like a small change, the council is ultimately responsible for the safety and utility of the highway,” continues Paula. “Common reasons for denial include:
- Road safety concernssuch as poor visibility or proximity to junctions
- Insufficient space Parking the vehicle off road
- Impact on pedestriansEspecially on narrow pavement
- Existing street facilitiessuch as trees, lampposts or bus stops
- Drainage problemsWhere water may flow onto the pavement or road.”
“The application can be refused if there is not enough distance from the house to the edge of the driveway to park a car – usually at least 4.5m,” adds Zaim Chowdhury. “Another reason could be that sufficient soft landscaping is not provided depending on the size of the drive. For smaller homes this is usually 30%, while for larger properties it can be 50%, although this varies from council to council.”
What should you do if your application is rejected?
Thankfully, even if you get thumbs down in response to your initial application, there are steps you can take.
“If permission is denied, you can Appeal planning permission or look at modifying the proposal to address specific safety or environmental concerns raised by the council,” explains Simon Rix.
“If your application is denied, you have a few options,” said Paula Higgins. “First, ask for detailed feedback so you understand the reasons, then revise your plans to address specific concerns and resubmit.
“You may need to make practical changes such as driveway layout or improving drainage and I would also advise seeking professional advice from a planning consultant or highway engineer.”
FAQs
Can you make a dropped curb yourself?
In short, no, this is not a job that can be undertaken on a DIY basis, no matter what you might hope Think cheap driveways It won’t set you back too much—and not just because of the tools and equipment required.
Once you get permission, you have to get the work done by a ‘New Road and Street Works Act Approved Contractor’. Your chosen contractor must have public liability insurance, the value of which varies from council to council. A list of accredited contractors will be available on your local authority’s website.
One of the most common is neglecting to consider the dropped curb requirement Driveway mistakes Built by Homeowners – Make sure you get all the necessary approvals before you start if you don’t want to end up with an expensive remedial job on your hands.
