Sometimes it can be a nightmare trying to park your car in your own street if you don’t have your own driveway.
Especially when coming home from work or a day out with the family and you discover there are no spaces left near your home in reasonable walking distance.
But if you have had enough of parking difficulties, you might be looking to transform part of your front garden into a driveway.
If this this the case, you could be wondering if you need planning permission or if you can just get on with the job – let’s find out.
@kjg_home Driveway Transformation! Details and links on my insta stories xxx Wasnt sure how it was going to turn out so didnt get loads if footage but i had so many messages on stories on insta i made a tik tok on what we did Hope this helps and saves money for you x @Smartseal UK block magic dark grey 25l and black 5l #hometransformation #diyproject #exteriordesign #drivewaymakeover #homehack ♬ BORN FOR THIS - Foxxi
Why do you need planning permission for a driveway?
“If you are looking to cover a front garden with watertight material on an area of over 5 square metres, you will need to seek planning permission beforehand,” advises RF Paving.
“This also applies if the design of your driveway cannot control the rainwater from running into the road and drainage systems.”
However, if you want to have a driveway constructed on your property, whether you need planning permission or not will also depend on your “individual situation”.
Homebuilding & Renovating explains: “In general, if the driveway is to be part of a new build project, then the details of it should form the 'access' part of the planning application for the new dwelling.
What side of the fence am I responsible for in the UK?
“If it’s for an existing house, however, then there are some instances where planning permission for driveways is not needed because it comes under Permitted Development.
“This means that planning permission is deemed to have already been given, so your driveway project can proceed unencumbered.
Recommended reading:
- Do you need planning permission for a loft conversion? Rules and regulations
- Thinking of getting solar panels? Find out if you need planning permission first
- Do I need planning permission for a veranda? Find out if you need to apply
“But be careful, there are various circumstances where Permitted Development rights don’t apply.
“It’s always best to check first, because if you go ahead and do the work and then find out you should have applied for planning permission, you may have to complete a retrospective planning application, which comes with its own risks and costs.”
Find out when Permitted Development rights don’t apply (including for flats and maisonettes) on the Homebuilding & Renovating website.
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