Driveway in conservation area - Planning permission needed?

liverpool78

I am wondering whether I would need planning permission to replace my existing garden path and driveway.

I am in a conservation area and so would be using granite blocks to replace the existing concrete path and paving stone driveway. The granite blocks would be much more in keeping with the local area than what is in place at the present time.

I understand that so long as I install a soakaway rather than allow the water to drain into the public drains I do not need planning permission. Is this correct?

I understand that so long as I am not removing any walls or fences (I am not), then no special application is needed by virtue of me being in a conservation area. Is this correct?

I had assumed I was correct and so have bought the materials and have not applied but one of my neighbours has now said that planning will be needed.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks for assistance.

Chippy_Minton_2

The only rule I fully knew about was the five metre one.



Planning permission will be required if:

• The new surface exceeds 5 square metres in area.
• Rain water will drain off the drive onto a public highway.
• Rain water is to be linked to an existing surface water system that does not discharge into a soak away.

Planning permission will not be required if:

• Use of a permeable concrete block, in conjunction with a permeable sub-base.
• If ground is able to absorb the rain water off the drive (not clay) - using a soakaway.

*not applicable in Scotland or Wales

So it appears you're right..........Providing you don't have clay soil.

However, I'd ring or email the local planning to get this confirmed as being in a conservation area may over rule this.

dander

You will definitely need to talk to the council. It won't be planning permission, probably some kind of conservation area consent. There's no need to panic about it though, because the fact that you have to get consent doesn't mean they are particularly likely to refuse. They just want to maintain the look and feel of the area, but they won't be unreasonable.

The only part of your message that just raises a slight alert in me is that you say you are replacing the drive AND path - are you replacing them as seperate entities or are you going to pave over a section of garden and merge the two into one large area of hardstanding? I just ask because I know in the conservation are I live in that is one of the no-nos. They are happy for people pave over sections of their garden, because they accept people have cars now, but they do stipulate that seperate pedestrian access paths to the street are maintained and people have to retain a certain amount of the front garden as green space (I forget what the exact figures for that are).

But if you are simply changing the surface of the existing hard standings, yes, you will need consent. BUT, you will get it, there's nothing to fear :-)

liverpool78

dander wrote: »

The only part of your message that just raises a slight alert in me is that you say you are replacing the drive AND path - are you replacing them as seperate entities or are you going to pave over a section of garden and merge the two into one large area of hardstanding? I just ask because I know in the conservation are I live in that is one of the no-nos. They are happy for people pave over sections of their garden, because they accept people have cars now, but they do stipulate that seperate pedestrian access paths to the street are maintained and people have to retain a certain amount of the front garden as green space (I forget what the exact figures for that are).

But if you are simply changing the surface of the existing hard standings, yes, you will need consent. BUT, you will get it, there's nothing to fear :-)

Thanks.

I will simply be replacing the exisitng hardstanding although I do not think the current position of the path was original in any event.

planning_officer

You may need planning permission if (like the info above clarifies) the area of hardstanding is located between the principle elevation of the house and a road, and it exceeds 5 sqm in area (unless it is permeable or drains naturally to a permeable or porous surface within your garden).

However, quite often in conservation areas, Councils serve Article 4 Directions, which remove certain types of permitted development rights, so irrespective of the above, you may need planning permission if an Article 4 Direction is in force - however small the hardstanding will be. Do check with the Council to see if there is an Article 4 Direction in force.

Plus, you don't need conservation area consent - that only relates to demolition (including walls of 1m in height or more).