The illustration below shows examples of common dropped kerb and
vehicular access projects. The key issue in terms of whether or
not planning permission is required for such a project is the
classification of the road onto which you are planning to create
the new vehicular access.
To find out the classification of your road please refer to our
List of streets
and their status.
Examples
Works A only
Lower Kerb stones and pathway |
Works A + B
Create/Alter access on Classified Road |
Works A
+ C
Create/Alter access on Unclassified Road |
Work to be carried out entirely within Highway land
(marked).
Planning permission NOT required.
Highway Authority consent REQUIRED. |
Alteration/Removal of walls, fences or railings to create new
vehicular access onto classified road.
Planning permission REQUIRED. |
Alteration/Removal of walls, fences or railings to create new
vehicular access onto an unclassified road (see note C left).
Planning permission NOT required. |
Details
A - Dropped kerbs
For works carried out
entirely within the boundary of the public highway i.e. not
connected to any works within the property boundary (adopted
footpaths, verges, kerbs and roads).
Planning permission is not
required.
Work to the highway must be carried
out by contractors approved by the Highway Authority.
B - Vehicular Access for Properties served by Classified
Roads
If a vehicular crossing is proposed and a new
vehicular access is being created within a property boundary (e.g.
new driveway, hardsurfacing part of front garden to provide parking
etc.).
Planning permission is required.
C - Vehicular Access for
Properties served by Non-Classified Roads
If a
vehicular crossing is proposed and a new vehicular access within
the property (e.g. new driveway, hardsurfacing part of front garden
to provide parking etc.).
Planning permission not
required but this is subject to the condition that:
a) where the driveway/hard
surface would be situated on land between a wall forming the
principal elevation (normally the front) of the dwellinghouse and a
highway, AND
b) if the area of the
ground covered by the hard surface, or the area of hard surface
replaced would exceed 5 square metres (e.g. an area 2m x 2.5m) the
new driveway/hard surface must be either:
• made of porous
materials; or
• if made from non-porous
materials provision must be made to direct water run-off to a
soakaway point within the boundaries of your property.
Listed Buildings and
Conservation Areas
If your property is either a
Listed Building or located within a Conservation Area and you
intend to demolish or part demolish a wall, fence, railing or
building in order to facilitate a new vehicular access, please
first contact our Conservation Officer to discuss whether any
consents may be required.
To check please use our
Interactive Map.
You always need the permission
from the Local Highway Authority to lower a kerb
A
footpath is generally not constructed to a strength sufficient to
withstand the weight of vehicles driving over it without causing
damage which could in turn cause a potential danger to pedestrians.
For this reason under the Highways Act 1980 it is illegal to cross
a footpath without a properly constructed vehicular crossing.
A vehicular crossing will not normally
be acceptable if:
• a vehicle cannot be
parked within the property boundary without overhanging the
highway. A minimum of 5 metres is required from the property to the
highway boundary;
• your property is too
close to a junction or bend or creates another safety hazard;
• trees or tree roots are
too close to any excavation works.
Consideration must be made to existing street furniture e.g.
lamp posts.
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