Advice on dropped curb please

Razzle36

We want to offer on a property but are unsure whether permission will be given for a dropped curb and having a driveway is pretty important for us.

It's a semi-detached house is in a cul de sac, completely off the main road and not in a classified road. A lot of other houses have dropped curbs - including the attached neighbour. The problem we see is there's a space directly outside the front garden which I think is the turning point in the road, but can be used a couple of parking spaces.

I've called the district council who directed me to the local council highways office who weren't able to give me any idea on approval without an application, but we can't make an application if you're not the homeowner.

There's another buyer that's made an offer on the property so there's no time to ask the buyer to make an application.

It's a long shot but wondering if anyone had any experience in this and could give an indication on whether it would be approved or not - based on my crude drawing!

Aylesbury_Duck

Is there no council guidance at all? Some councils give basic advice such as the minimum length and depth of the proposed parking area required before they'll consider an application. There have been numerous threads on here from people unable to get dropped kerbs because they need, for example 4.5m minimum between their property and the road and don't have it. They make all sorts of justifications such as having a small car or parking it sideways but councils are pretty firm with the requirements. Historical approvals don't set precedents, either.

Have another look, there may be some basic guidance that may rule it out entirely. At least you'll know before you proceed with the house.

Cakeguts

Sometimes you can tell from the price of the house it there is going to be a problem. If the house seems to be cheap for where it is then you can almost guarantee that you won't get a dropped kerb because someone has tried before and failed.

knightstyle

Go to the council planning dept with road plan and streetview pics. You may need an appointment but they will guide you.
We got a letter from them saying it would be OK before exchanging on a newbuild. Just measured and we have 4.3M from kerb to front of house.

Razzle36

I!!!8217;ve already checked the guidance on the council website. The depth of the front garden is not an issue, it!!!8217;s well within the required depth and length. The only guidance rule I wasn!!!8217;t sure of is whether the space outside (turning area) is regarded as a parking space as that means it wouldn!!!8217;t be allowed.
The council have told me there is no further information they can give me without an application and I can!!!8217;t do that as I!!!8217;m not the homeowner and there is no time.
I suppose the only thing I could do is see if I can find out anything further before exchange, but don!!!8217;t want to have to back out.

Cakeguts

lottiecochrane wrote: »

I!!!8217;ve already checked the guidance on the council website. The depth of the front garden is not an issue, it!!!8217;s well within the required depth and length. The only guidance rule I wasn!!!8217;t sure of is whether the space outside (turning area) is regarded as a parking space as that means it wouldn!!!8217;t be allowed.
The council have told me there is no further information they can give me without an application and I can!!!8217;t do that as I!!!8217;m not the homeowner and there is no time.
I suppose the only thing I could do is see if I can find out anything further before exchange, but don!!!8217;t want to have to back out.

Have you asked the seller about the possible parking space outside and the situation with getting a dropped kerb?

financegeek

i would have thought that if the road infront of your property was a turning space then people shouldn't be parking there and therefore you'd be more likely to get permission for a dropped kerb?

although i am by no means an expert in planning law!

G_M

knightstyle wrote: »

Go to the council planning dept with road plan and streetview pics. You may need an appointment but they will guide you.
.

It's not a planning issue. It's the Highways dept that decides.

I don't know about Highways, but many (most? all?) Planning depts no longer let the public just turn up for informal chats (mine used to but no more). And appointments for pre-planning advice are charged (£130?).

Highways may be different though.