Convert allocated parking space to a garden

davidmcn

MoneySeeker1 said:

Personally - I'd just go ahead and do it, as surely it's a case of "Your land your say". 

Surely it might not be, given that planning conditions and/or title covenants may be relevant? Would you not even bother checking? Even if it risks (justifiable) complaints from the neighbours?

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi Stargazer. Any chance of a photo?

It's all been said in the above posts. If it can be done without affecting other residents in any way, then - why not? Obviously, if it's a 'properly' constructed parking spot - tarmac or paving blocks etc - it's going to be a significant task to dig this out, assuming what you want is a garden capable of plant growth.

Or, are you actually after, say, a patio/seating area? In which case, I imagine this can be laid quite easily on a semi-permanent basis. Eg, if you lay a DPM on the parking surface first, then slabs can be mortar-dabbed on to that - they should be rock steady, but easily liftable at any stage later on. Decking, again, would just have the joists sitting on regular paving blocks or similar - semi-permanent. Shrubs in large pots, etc etc etc.   

As far as I can see, if it's what you really really want, then why not? It can always be restored to a parking space by a future owner - take photos to show it as a parking space before proceeding...

If the area is not obviously your 100% property, however - eg if it's an 'allocated' space to you, but on a different freeholder's land - or if it isn't completely in-line with your house's boundaries, then tread carefully. If there is any reason why neighbours or other car space users might possibly raise an objection, then best to test the water first. 

bucksbloke

If this is on a particularly new estate, then you would probably find that you have a restrictive covenant preventing you from doing so. Our local council says that a 3 bed house must have 2 on plot parking spaces for new builds, so if you seek planning permission for a change then it will be automatically turned down if you don't have them. 

Also, if you do have more than one car at any point, where will you be parking in the future? If everyone does what you want to do, then there would be a parking issue (which is exactly why our local council has such strict rules). I will expect that those living near you will be annoyed by this, so do expect that they will speak to planning enforcement. So I definitely would not do the approach that some have suggested and not follow the correct change of use planning procedure. 

You've said that the two parking spaces are on your deeds, when you come to sell your house - expect the buyer's solicitor to ask the question what has happened to one of the spaces. If you breach the restrictive covenants in your title, then it will be difficult for you to sell. 

AdrianC

Another option... Grass it, but with "National Trust car park" drive-over blocks within the topsoil, so it can be both natural grass AND a parking space.

ProDave

An alternative take might be move the fence so it encloses your space, and install a pair of double gates.  So it is enclosed garden, but can still be used as a now enclosed, more secure parking space.

AW618

MoneySeeker1 said:

Personally - I'd just go ahead and do it, as surely it's a case of "Your land your say". 

If you go ahead with the "better ask other peoples permission to use my own land" tack and other people can (and decide to) deny that permission - your worst case analysis would be to just cover the land with pea gravel or woodchip and put loads of raised beds on it with your choice of plants in them.

There is a thing called the law.

It is the law which asserts that you own a piece of land and stops me from marching onto it and throwing you off.

The law also controls what you are allowed to do with that land.

You can't pick and choose which parts you want to apply to you.

greatcrested

Please confirm:

1) you own the property freehold

2) the parking space falls within the freehold boundary

3) if outside, do you own that on a separate freehold, or leasehold? Or is it owned by a 3rd party but you have a Right ToPark?

4) If Right To Park, where/how is this documented?

5) What does your (relevant) property Title say regarding the parking space? Have you consulted it?

6) if not consulted, do so. If you don't have a copy, pay £3 x 2 for the title and plan here

diggingdude

If you decide to make a permanent change also please consider future use of house. If its a started home then maybe its ok with 1 space, 3 bedroom home more likely to have two cars