Planning permission to dig up pavement?

Richard_Webster

Having gone through the process and about to have work start...

You may need planning permission but this is normally only in conservation areas or if you are creating a large area of non porous ground (this is to prevent flood problems by increased water run off). In reality most people use either gravel or block paving both of which at least appear to comply so don't need planning permission. Obviously if they needed planning permission it would be in the lists in the normal way.

In the majority of cases where you don't need planning permission you just apply for Highways permission to create a footway crossing. You will need to use contractors who have the relevant permits and insurance because normal pavement is not strengthened for vehicle traffic, so it needs to be done properly to protect pipes etc under the pavement. However there is no consultation process with nearby neighbours on this (we've talked to ours out of courtesy and explained what we proposed to check none had a problem with it).

It is pretty difficult to check from outside - pretty much all you can do is phone Highways at your council and ensure they are aware of what is happening. Its also hard to check contractors - we had to ditch one contractor who claimed to have all the paperwork in hand but I got a feeling he was lying so checked him out with the streetworks register place in Glasgow. (You can phone them up and ask them about a named contractor - but if whoever is doing it is just using an unmarked van etc, it may be hard to find out without asking the neighbour).

In short the fact that its not on the council planning list gives little reason to think its unauthorised because most of these jobs won't need planning.

I agree - sensible answer.

olias

To the OP - why do you have such a problem with this - surely creating an off road parking space will improve the parking situation and throughflow of traffic in your street?

Olias

Fuzzyness

olias wrote: »

To the OP - why do you have such a problem with this - surely creating an off road parking space will improve the parking situation and throughflow of traffic in your street?

Olias

but by inserting a drop curb, you actually reduce the amount of onstreet parking that is available to all the other residents that cant park on their front gardens.

olias

Fair point, but by no more than would have been by this man parking in the street anyway.

I still don't understand why the OP is so bothered - It's not like this fella is erecting a huge pink extension to the side of his house. Sounds to me like its sour grapes on behalf of the OP because they don't like him.

Olias

Fuzzyness

and that is where most disputes realted to planning arise from.

Better_Days

olias wrote: »

Fair point, but by no more than would have been by this man parking in the street anyway.
I still don't understand why the OP is so bothered - It's not like this fella is erecting a huge pink extension to the side of his house. Sounds to me like its sour grapes on behalf of the OP because they don't like him.

The neighbour currently parks on his drive, as does everyone else in the cul de sac. There is no 'through' traffic. All the front gardens in the cul de sac are 'open plan' and this neighbour has already put up a fence. Still if creating the parking space is permitted, then so be it. I just wanted more info about what is permitted.

I don't think it is unreasonable to check that a neighbour has obtained the correct permissions before getting someone to dig up the pavement. As someone who uses a wheelchair I appreciate how important it is that work of this nature is done properly. Dropped kerbs that are too high, or pavements that slope sharply or are uneven are difficult to navigate or downright dangerous to wheelchair users. Even if the new bit of the pavement looks ok now, if it is not properly constructed the weight of a car going over it could result in an uneven or broken surface.

There are pavements near where I live which have a dropped kerb which is too high and another where the pavement slopes sharply towards the road. Both are dangerous as without care the wheelchair could tip. My only other alternative is to use the road. No fun either.

olias

I thought you said it was accross the road from you? If that is the case, would you not be using the pavement on your side, and therefore not have a problem?

Olias

System

Better_Days wrote: »

There are pavements near where I live which have a dropped kerb which is too high

Could that be because they were put in for vehicles and not as an aid to disabled/wheelchair users?

It may even be because a road has been resurfaced and more was skimmed off than put back on.

Better_Days

olias wrote: »

I thought you said it was accross the road from you? If that is the case, would you not be using the pavement on your side, and therefore not have a problem?

Olias

There is no pavement on my side. Plus if the pavement is uneven etc it could cause difficulties for others, not just me.

Mistral001

They need the permission of the owner of the pavement never mind Planning Approval.