If you would like to create a new driveway or replace an old one, you may need to obtain driveway planning permission. This will depend upon the size, location and materials used.
Driveway planning permission
A driveway is a beneficial asset. Not only does it make your life easier, it will also increase the value of your property, making it more attractive should you come to sell in the future.
But do you need planning permission for a driveway?
The answer is largely dependent upon the location of the proposed development. If you are paving over your front garden, you will not need driving planning permission as long as you use permeable materials which allow rainwater to drain through. This might include gravel or porous paving slabs. But if you intend to use impermeable materials across an area of five square metres or more, you will need driveway planning permission.
If the proposed driveway is anywhere other than the front garden, planning permission for driveways is not required. However, there are some exceptions to this rule.
Common planning permission for driveways situations
Although there are many cases where you will not require planning permission for your driveway, there are also many specific cases where you will require planning permission for your driveway. Since the noise and disruption around building a driveway can sometimes annoy neighbours and cause them to seek to object to your development, it is important to be aware of situations that could mean you need planning permission before you start to build.
- Paving over your front garden is governed by different rules than the rules governing driveway construction. The two can appear quite similar from the outside, so if you're in doubt as to which of the two your project will fall under, seek expert advice.
- Fences, walls, and gates will often need planning permission to proceed.
- A dropped kerb will require specific conditions to be met, and will also require you to use contractors approved by the council to carry out your work. You can carry out the work yourself or choose your own contractor, but you or the contractor would still need to meet the council's high standards including significant public liability insurance and more besides. Conditions include but may not be limited to:
- A kerb dropping on a trunk, principal or classified road will require some form of planning consent.
- Land ownership issues (for example Land Easements or Right of Way issues) can impact your build. The official recommendation is usually to consult a solicitor on these issues.
- If a public footpath is present, it may need to be strengthened to protect any utilities underneath
- Significant works of terracing and embankment, such as may be carried out to support a hard surface, will require planning permission.
- Listed buildings will require listed building consent for driveway planning permission.
- Different rules apply to flats and maisonettes when it comes to planning permission for driveways.
If you're not sure whether or not you'll need planning permission for your driveway, or you think you might need further advice related to planning your driveway, please get in touch to see if we can help you.
Planning permission for driveway
To check whether or not you need driveway planning permission, you simply need to speak to a solicitor who specialises in this area of law. This will enable you to verify your legal responsibilities, ensuring you do not contravene the regulations – something which can be very expensive to rectify.
Planning permission for driveways - speak to a solicitor
To speak to a solicitor about planning permission for driveways, do not hesitate to contact us on 01634 811 118 or complete our online enquiry form.
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