Planning permission iron railings?

[Brummmie]

I have some new neighbors in and he was telling me the plans for the property...He wants to get rid of everything green and block pave the lot, presumably so he can park lots of cars on there, and then surround it with decorative iron railings, you've no doubt seen these things around. I personally think they look hideous, will he need planning permission for this?

[streaky]

Have a word with your local planning officer. The railings might be OK - depends on their height and any safety issues they might raise, but Councils are now becoming quite anxious about paving over 'green' areas - because this increases runoff into the drainage system and reduces soakaway into the aquifer - Streaky

[Road Pest]

Are you in any sort of conservation area? Where we are he definately wouldn't be allowed to do that.

[Brummmie]

No not in Birmingham! I will have to contact the local planning office as suggested. Damn i hate those railings with the gold tops!!

[Mrs Fish]

From memory any structure next to the highway over 1000mm or 1200mm needs planning. Check with the officer or look on the web at the conditions.

[Baffled Spoon]

Road Pest said:

Are you in any sort of conservation area? Where we are he definately wouldn't be allowed to do that.

Pah! Conservation areas my ass! I live in a supposed conservation area and applied to have security window bars fitted on an exposed ground floor window ( as per on a neigbouring property). Needless to say this application was declined. Four months later though, the construction of a new three story MODERN appartments building begins at the end of the street. I hope your local council is better than mine.

[baz1985]

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995

MINOR OPERATIONS


Class A
Permitted development
A. The erection, construction, maintenance, improvement or alteration of a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure.
Development not permitted
A.1 Development is not permitted by Class A if—


(a) the height of any gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed adjacent to a highway used by vehicular traffic would, after the carrying out of the development, exceed one metre above ground level;


(b) the height of any other gate, fence, wall or means of enclosure erected or constructed would exceed two metres above ground level;


(c) the height of any gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure maintained, improved or altered would, as a result of the development, exceed its former height or the height referred to in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) as the height appropriate to it if erected or constructed, whichever is the greater; or


(d) it would involve development within the curtilage of, or to a gate, fence, wall or other means of enclosure surrounding, a listed building.

[Brummmie]

Soooo...if the railings were above 1metre high then you would need planning?

[rdjohn]

If he applied for consent for a fence between 1m & 2m, the highway authority should also ensure that there is good intervisibility between cars on the highway, pedestrians on the footway and any vehicle emerging from the enclosed space.
A minimum splay of 2.5m from the gateposts is normal, but this could possibly be greater, dependent on the speed limit.

[baz1985]

Brummmie said:

Soooo...if the railings were above 1metre high then you would need planning?

yes, if adjacent to the highway/road/street.

[moparmick]

As someone who made and fitted all forms of wrought iron, some looks absolutely awful, if customers asked me to paint the tops gold, i would use a copper patina, rub it over the spikes with a sponge, far more subtle.
Height is 1m from ground measured at the highest point, on front, then 2m back from pavement, increased to 2m high.
Mick

[Road Pest]

Baffled Spoon said:

Road Pest said:

Are you in any sort of conservation area? Where we are he definately wouldn't be allowed to do that.

Pah! Conservation areas my ass! I live in a supposed conservation area and applied to have security window bars fitted on an exposed ground floor window ( as per on a neigbouring property). Needless to say this application was declined. Four months later though, the construction of a new three story MODERN appartments building begins at the end of the street. I hope your local council is better than mine.

Maybe better than yours, they would have to have residents consent, which makes life much harder and strict planing guidlines make it impossible. May not stop the government building an "eco" town on my doorstep though.

[streaky]

moparmick said:

As someone who made and fitted all forms of wrought iron, some looks absolutely awful, if customers asked me to paint the tops gold, i would use a copper patina, rub it over the spikes with a sponge, far more subtle.

And, were I a customer, I would refuse to accept them (not that I would order them to start with) because they did not comply with my specification - Streaky

[Piglet]

You should also check whether there are any covenants that effect the house that might stop him from doing this. Many new "estates" have covenants that require an owner to keep the front garden area open and not to fence it in an way.

Also check that he has Permitted Development Rights, in some areas these are removed to allow Councils to control the areas - it's fairly rare but it can happen.

[moparmick]

streaky said:

moparmick said:

As someone who made and fitted all forms of wrought iron, some looks absolutely awful, if customers asked me to paint the tops gold, i would use a copper patina, rub it over the spikes with a sponge, far more subtle.

And, were I a customer, I would refuse to accept them (not that I would order them to start with) because they did not comply with my specification - Streaky

Streaky
I would always seek acceptance from the customer first, wrought iron can look truly beautiful in the right place.
Mick