Dropped Kerb Planning Application Architect Cost

mistertml

Hi

I am hoping to apply for a dropped kerb to allow us to park our cars on a driveway. At present there is a walled garden with no access.
The neighbouring properties have driveways.

I would like to know roughly how much it would cost for a archtect to do the drawings for me as I dont know what I need to do with regards to the documents I need to submit etc.

Thanks in Advance

tonyh66

an architect for a dropped kerb is a bit overkill. Try speaking to the council to see what you need. An architectural technician could do the drawing for half the price.

You could probably DIY if you get a 1:500 plan of your property of the internet and can use a tape measure and ruler to draw your proposed drop kerb onto it.

fezster

It's worth checking if you need planning permission for a dropped kerb - often you do not. If not, the council will consult with the highways department to ensure a dropped kerb is suitable (eg. visibility if you are on a bend in the road), and then quote you for the work. The costs are usually fixed as you must use the council's designated contractor to do the work.

mistertml

Hi
Thanks for the responses
I had a look on the planning portal and they seem to have had to submitted plans to the planning department.
Unfortunately the department only has phones on from 1-5pm so I’ll have to call them and see what they say.
Thanks again

mistertml

Hi

Just a quick update.

I have called the highways agency and they will send me a form to fill in.

I have yet to move in to the property but used it as a bargaining tool to lower the asking price.

Hopefully IA pays of.

Thanks

EachPenny

mistertml wrote: »

I have called the highways agency and they will send me a form to fill in.

I have yet to move in to the property but used it as a bargaining tool to lower the asking price.

I assume you were aware of the lack of driveway when you viewed the property and made an offer? What did you get knocked off for the lack of swimming pool and rooftop helipad?

Getting the kerb dropped is separate to getting a driveway area constructed on your land. The former is something you need to ask the council to do, the latter you need to organise yourself, possibly needing planning consent and/or building regulations approval.

keith969

I had to get council approval that planning permission was valid (£45 fee), then Highways Dept to give their permission to have the kerb dropped (£100 fee). Then you get a list of approved contractors, although you don't have to use an approved contractor as long as they have public liability insurance and follow the council's specifications for drop kerbs. Then you find a contractor that is willing to do it. Took a couple of days and £1200 for the actual job.

Didn't need anything more than a sketch of the layout - no architect required.

troffasky

Bear in mind that just because you neighbour has one, doesn't mean that you will get permission to do so.

EachPenny

keith969 wrote: »

I had to get council approval that planning permission was valid (£45 fee), then Highways Dept to give their permission to have the kerb dropped (£100 fee). Then you get a list of approved contractors, although you don't have to use an approved contractor as long as they have public liability insurance and follow the council's specifications for drop kerbs. Then you find a contractor that is willing to do it. Took a couple of days and £1200 for the actual job.

This varies from council to council. It is very unusual to find one which allows non-approved contractors to carry out work in the public highway.

Most will insist on carrying out the work themselves (using a term-contractor, if not in-house).

keith969

EachPenny wrote: »

This varies from council to council. It is very unusual to find one which allows non-approved contractors to carry out work in the public highway.

Most will insist on carrying out the work themselves (using a term-contractor, if not in-house).

This was Oxfordshire, and on a classified road. They most certainly don't restrict you to their approved contractors but do need evidence of streetworks experience and PLI.

I've no experience of other councils, though.

barney1966

You don’t need planning permission, it will be the local highways department.

They will just ask for a site plan, which you can draw yourself - I did and plans were approved.

They are mostly concerned about how the entrance would affect the highway and the materials to be used for the driveway (i.e. they will want a permeable surface).

Use a good contractor (or even council approved contractor) because they will also make you liable for a period of 12 months for any remedial work if they feel the crossover you create is substandard.