Dropped kerb and property access
Discussion
How do, not sure if this is the best sub-forum but here goes...
I live in a traditional terraced house with your usual on-street parking affair going on outside the front. However all the houses have a small front garden/area that some in the street use as parking, with a dropped kerb to allow access.
Last year I applied to the local council to grant permission to install a dropped kerb outside my property, however, it was turned down as the garden area was deemed smaller than the minimum required size for off-road parking.
I now own a fairly small car (Mini Cooper-S) which would fit on the front area without protruding on to the pavement area or anyone else's property boundary. This is not the case however for those neighbours with dropped kerbs already, there's a Zafira a few doors up that overhangs by about a foot at least.
I want my dropped kerb damn it! Does anyone have any experience of the best way/angle to go about this?
1) Try to appeal in some way? Point out that neighbours have similar installations that even block some of the pavement when cars are parked on - however I don't really want to snitch them in as such. Could I say I was going to park a couple of motorbikes on it or something?
2) Get some local contractor to install a dropped kerb without council permission. Could end badly?
Any ideas or experiences?
I live in a traditional terraced house with your usual on-street parking affair going on outside the front. However all the houses have a small front garden/area that some in the street use as parking, with a dropped kerb to allow access.
Last year I applied to the local council to grant permission to install a dropped kerb outside my property, however, it was turned down as the garden area was deemed smaller than the minimum required size for off-road parking.
I now own a fairly small car (Mini Cooper-S) which would fit on the front area without protruding on to the pavement area or anyone else's property boundary. This is not the case however for those neighbours with dropped kerbs already, there's a Zafira a few doors up that overhangs by about a foot at least.
I want my dropped kerb damn it! Does anyone have any experience of the best way/angle to go about this?
1) Try to appeal in some way? Point out that neighbours have similar installations that even block some of the pavement when cars are parked on - however I don't really want to snitch them in as such. Could I say I was going to park a couple of motorbikes on it or something?
2) Get some local contractor to install a dropped kerb without council permission. Could end badly?
Any ideas or experiences?
That's an interesting point, when they came to inspect previously it was a mix of grass, brick walls and overgrown bushes. It's now been tidied up and pebbled but still has the walls in place.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Where...
The above page confuses me. At the top it mentions council permission but then towards the bottom states the kerb must be certified(?), well built and not blocking anyone.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Where...
The above page confuses me. At the top it mentions council permission but then towards the bottom states the kerb must be certified(?), well built and not blocking anyone.
2.4m X 4.8m is the standard dimension for a parking bay, if this is not achievable at the very least and the parked vehicle protrudes into the public footway/ highway it will be rejected.
It also depends on the 85%ile speed on the public highway adjacent to your property, you would have to demonstrate that you could manoeuvre on and off the parking space without impeding traffic flow or creating a hazard.
I could produce a technical note detailing the requirements......for a small fee
It also depends on the 85%ile speed on the public highway adjacent to your property, you would have to demonstrate that you could manoeuvre on and off the parking space without impeding traffic flow or creating a hazard.
I could produce a technical note detailing the requirements......for a small fee
I think it's slightly less than those dimensions, maybe 4m x 4m, I'll measure later ... in fact here's a view courtesy of Google:
Next door is the end-terrace so are lucky to have a driveway, BUT, it sold recently and the new owners told me last week that they have been granted permission to extend their dropped kerb so that it is the full property width. They will then be able to park 2 cars on their front, so I don't believe my kerb would cause any highway flow issues or such like as it will be an extension of an existing dropped kerb.
Oh and here's a view of the houses a few doors up, I think my property is actually 'slightly' wider, how did they get permission!?
I just want the same as that!
Next door is the end-terrace so are lucky to have a driveway, BUT, it sold recently and the new owners told me last week that they have been granted permission to extend their dropped kerb so that it is the full property width. They will then be able to park 2 cars on their front, so I don't believe my kerb would cause any highway flow issues or such like as it will be an extension of an existing dropped kerb.
Oh and here's a view of the houses a few doors up, I think my property is actually 'slightly' wider, how did they get permission!?
I just want the same as that!
The problem is these days 'Garden Drives' are frowned upon. The problem is your neighbour would be applying for an extension of the drop kerb which is a different issue. However, obviously the amount of dropped-kerb accesses that are on your street it does set a planning precedent that would be hard to follow through at an appeal.
The main issue is that your front garden isn't sufficient in length to adequately accommodate a 'normal' car. I know your neighbours Fiesta only just squeezes on but that wont hold much water, the Planners are entitled to change their perspective bearing in mind new planning policy.
There are Fire regs. as well that would be an issue if a parked car blocked your front door.
The main issue is that your front garden isn't sufficient in length to adequately accommodate a 'normal' car. I know your neighbours Fiesta only just squeezes on but that wont hold much water, the Planners are entitled to change their perspective bearing in mind new planning policy.
There are Fire regs. as well that would be an issue if a parked car blocked your front door.
Edited by MidlandDan84 on Tuesday 19th July 14:38
langy said:
Speak to local council and get them to do it.
They then take responsibilty for future maintenace of kerbs, surfacing, road markings etc. The last thing you want to get involved in is ripping out some kerbs, finding an underground service and disturbing it.
If it requires a Section 278 the 3rd party is liable for all the costs......it is not classed as a new piece of highway therefore will not be adopted, although the highway works will be minimal.They then take responsibilty for future maintenace of kerbs, surfacing, road markings etc. The last thing you want to get involved in is ripping out some kerbs, finding an underground service and disturbing it.
The best thing to do is either book an appointment or go to one of the drop in sessions with the Planners and get their input.....they make the decision ultimately.
TheBaj said:
Thanks Dan, interesting stuff. I guess I'm a bit stuffed then really, an appeal doesn't sound like it would work. Kind of annoying as I just want to repeat what someone else has.
I deal with planners in local government every day of the week, all I can say from my experience is go and talk to them, arrange a meeting, be open and frank and have a proper discussion. They cant point blank refuse it without a justification. Local Planners always want to be informed what people want to do, pander to their ego's, dont try and do anything on the sly or hope they wont find out. It will cause trouble down the line......trust me.Do you have a refusal notice or similar that states why it was refused in the first instance?
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff