Rear Garden into Driveway / Dropped Kerb

Gavin83

We looked at a house which had a very similar setup. Small(ish) front garden on a road with no parking allowed. Huge back garden with parking at the back and a garage. I can't see why the council would have a problem with this but it's best to check.

We looked at another house with the whole "we've got a parking agreement with the neighbours" suggestion too. I rejected it pretty much for that reason alone. It just struck me as having potential for creating future issues, especially as the neighbours were also moving and they weren't exactly small houses and the potential for multiple car ownership was high.

TXC

Gavin83 said:

We looked at a house which had a very similar setup. Small(ish) front garden on a road with no parking allowed. Huge back garden with parking at the back and a garage. I can't see why the council would have a problem with this but it's best to check.

We looked at another house with the whole "we've got a parking agreement with the neighbours" suggestion too. I rejected it pretty much for that reason alone. It just struck me as having potential for creating future issues, especially as the neighbours were also moving and they weren't exactly small houses and the potential for multiple car ownership was high.

This is my thought exactly, agreements are fine but all it takes is one to move and be replaced with a four car family who don't care for "agreements"

TXC

does anybody know how I would go about checking viability without actually launching a planning permission app?

sheramber

Look on the council website for information on dropped kerbs. My council inspect and advise if it would be allowed. They advise you to do this before submitting any application.

Eldi_Dos

Could check out car/driveway turntables to save the reversing out problem.

MysteryMe

Perhaps you could reverse in and drive out, if there are two other gardens backing on to the road before yours, you are not going to be right on the corner.

bouicca21

As Sheramber says, check out your council.  Mine publishes detailed guidelines as to what is and is not acceptable.  I doubt a back garden is a problem, it’s going to be more about sight lines, obstruction by street furniture, the existence of trees, verges etc.

Eldi_Dos

Hi TXC,looking at sketch of property you are interested in iindicates that the numbers on road to rear start at #3 which would make me think council would be expecting at sometime there would be a #1. If you agree purchase go ahead with getting dropped kerb access and use it setting precedent for access to property from this street. If and when finances become available you might look into enlarging your garden by buying the bottom parts of your neighbours gardens,if you could achieve this ProDaves suggestion has a lot of merits. Would not mention any thoughts along these lines if going for dropped kerb permission

snowqueen555

You usually need to apply as it takes resources to look into it, what you can do is check the category of the road as this will give you an idea if planning is required. Even then, planning permission and whether it is or isn't required is separate to highway permission.