Is on street parking getting you down? Do you dread returning home each day in case you end up having to park miles away? With the ever-increasing number of vehicles on the road, finding a parking space can be a real headache, so converting a front garden into parking can be a great move. If you want to alleviate congestion and remove the hassle of scrabbling for a parking space every time you come home, here’s what you need to do.
- Your first step is to get permission from your local council to put a dropped kerb in place. This is essential, and when considering your application, the council will need proof that you are the freeholder. They will also take several other things into consideration, including whether the proposed drop kerb is on a corner, is in a conservation area, and whether it would impact on pedestrian safety. If permission is granted, the council will need to drop the kerb and are likely to charge between £1,000 and £1,500.
- The next step is to determine whether you need planning permission for the driveway itself. If you use a porous surface such as gravel, permeable asphalt or permeable block paving, you are unlikely to need planning permission as your alteration won’t affect drainage. Likewise, if you have a solid driveway that drains off into side lawns on your property, you should be ok. If you are covering more than five square metres in impermeable material without drainage, you will need planning permission. If in doubt, ask your builder.
- Once you know what permissions you need, and you have them in place, the fun can start! You may already have paving in your front garden, but it is not necessarily suitable for supporting cars. Think about what you want to use the space for. Do you want to have gates on your driveway? Do you want to maintain a level of versatility, enabling you to use your driveway for patio space when it is not occupied? How many cars do you really need space for?
- After spending time considering the practicalities, you are probably ready to talk to a few local builders and get some quotes. As always, we recommend that you get at least two quotes and don’t always go for the cheapest; feel free to ask questions and take the time to really think about your priorities.
If you think that a driveway could transform your life, check out the trusted local builders near you.
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