driveway, what permission do i need and how much am i looking at?

TokochickUK

hi all, we own a corner house, we have a couple of rose bushes and hedges that will need to be removed, we then have a path in front of our house then a grass area of a couple of meters. the curb needs to be dropped and the crossover done and garden dug out we are loking at a bock paved drive. i tried to sort this out last yr but got caught up with other stuff. so do i need to apply for permission from council and highways? and what kind of fees? then how much roughly for drive all done lol sorry lots of question, i just want this done now its turning into a nightmare parking in my rd, i have two small boys aged 1 and 2 and i cant park anywhere near my own home, we have just discovered we are now expecting bundle number 3 so its going to get so much harder, thanks in advance
sus x

BobProperty

You almost certainly need permission to drop the curb and pay a fee to get the work done. You may need planning permission, IMHO, but that will depend on the road and the council I suspect. You should be able to get answers with one or two calls to the planning department.

dick_turpin

In the area where I am, the Highway Authority (County Council) requires any work on the public highway to be undertaken by approved contractors. A list is available. You will also need planning permission if you live on a 'classified road'. Residential streets are usually unclassified so you will avoid the need for planning permission but the work is inspected by the council and you will pay for that inspection! The type of construction and width of the footpath will dictate the cost and the presence of any metal covers will also need considering because if you lower the kerbs you also lower the path behind!
Bear in mind you are not only lowering the kerbs but also strengthening the footway to support regular trafficking by vehicles.
Talk to your local council is the best advice.
DC

Avoriaz

Congratulations on baby number three.;) :beer:

I found this old thread.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=54166

It looks like £70-£80 per sq meter is a good guide but it will vary according to quality of blocks, soil excavation, drainage etc.

My neighbours has theirs done recently and they went with a Marshall approved local contractor who did an excellent job. They kerb was already lowered but they paid the council £300 to modify the curve of the pavement. I would expect you will need to pay rather more than that for dropping the kerb.

Beware: sadly this industry is full of cowboys so please be very careful whom you choose to do the work and do not pay up front. Agree to pay at the end or pay by staged payments as the work progresses.