Minimum Requirements for a Driveway?

[domesticbadger]

I've been going through the motions for planning to partially convert my attached garage to living space. It has come back with vague suggestions that I would need to replace the garage with another parking space.

I have a lawned front garden approximately the same size as the existing single space in front of the garage (pretty much exactly car sized ). This is as per the below, with the path to the front door shown.

The existing dropped kerb ends roughly to the left of where the '320cm' starts.


The council are pretty unhelpful and it takes months just to get answers to simple questions, so I was essentially wondering if anyone had any experience on whether:
- They are likely to demand the kerb be dropped across the potential space (even though one could gain access to it without mounting the kerb, if a car wasn't in the existing space - which I see as no different to a one-behind-the-other access in 2 length car spaces which count as two).
- Whether the lawn will count as a parking space in its existing lawn form, or if it would need to be converted to a hardstanding of any sorts.

I am hoping to keep the grass, as all other houses in the area have slowly removed their greenery, which does nothing for the aesthetics of the area.

Thanks in advance

 

[Tigercubrider]

I know what you mean about the aesthetic- my neighbour dug up the entire front lawn and it's all paved.

How about the plastic open mesh? You can stick it into a lawn (afaik) to create a space
A place that I worked at had concrete that allowed cars to be driven on it but grass grew through

 

[domesticbadger]

I know what you mean about the aesthetic- my neighbour dug up the entire front lawn and it's all paved.

How about the plastic open mesh? You can stick it into a lawn (afaik) to create a space
A place that I worked at had concrete that allowed cars to be driven on it but grass grew through

That's certainly an option I've had in mind for some time - just not sure if there are any rules as to how gardeny a drive can be. Mostly worried about the dropped kerb though, as that could be expensive

 

[Notch7]

Do you park your car in the garage?

 

[domesticbadger]

Do you park your car in the garage?

No - it's based on 80s spec, so you'd have to climb out of the boot of anything modern

 

[^woody^]

This is common with many councils. They may have the required size tucked way in their policies somewhere. Look for their new build or highways policies for sizes, as they will be the ones that matter.

 

[Leofric]

4.8 x 2.4m is minimum car parking space. 4.8 x 3.0m for disabled parking space.
( Highways design guide requirements in this area at least !)I would think they would require a dropped kerb so you could drive directly into the new car space. Won't you need to apply for planning permission to find out

 

[domesticbadger]

4.8 x 2.4m is minimum car parking space. 4.8 x 3.0m for disabled parking space.
( Highways design guide requirements in this area at least !)I would think they would require a dropped kerb so you could drive directly into the new car space. Won't you need to apply for planning permission to find out

I've had pre-planning, but it basically consisted of 'your plans probably won't be an issue, but we won't have to object to your plans for highway safety reasons if you add a replacement provisions for 2 cars to park at the property'.

It took 5 times longer than PP to find that much out, and it was completely contrary to what I was told prior to that when I asked in person (which was "you shouldn't need an extra space - we take parking on street into account"). In short, I won't actually know unless I apply for full PP, but I'd like an idea from prior experience if possible.