2m high traditional steel gates

[Devon65]

Hello everyone

I would like to put some 2m steel gates at the end of my driveway. Traditional style steel (so you can see through them) you know the type steel bars with finials on the end ... and I know all about gates >1m requiring planning and permission allegedly depends on fact and degree etc. but how likely is planning to be granted?

Am I wasting my time ... is it a definite 'no no' unless set back 5m plus?

I don't want to do that it because it will look ridiculous and involve building 2 x 5m long (2m high) walls at 90 degrees to the boundary back to meet the gate piers (which seems to defeat the object of aesthetics and street scene) and close off the house even more plus waste 5m of my drive. The steel gates would IMO look lovely at the end of the drive butting up to my 3m tall hedge (or even set back 2 foot).

No other houses have gates in my cul-de-sac but some used to have them and my house is somewhat unusual in that it a corner plot so in effect my driveway is at the rear of the house and my hedges are 3m+ high all the way round so the only part of the house anyone can see is the garage anyway! So its not like its open aspect. I just want security so I can leave my cars out.

Oh and my planning department is not contactable by phone, they do not want to answer any public counter questions.

Thanks in advance

 

[Wayners]

Think you will have to pay the planning fee and find out.
You can ask an architect for a construction fee for advice. That may get you the answer if sensible money

 

[^woody^]

The granting of permission is mainly about what it will look like in context of the locality, impact on others and maybe sightings of the highway when exiting your land.

There is no reason that a standard set of gates, well designed for the area and creating no safety issues, should be refused permission.

Your planning authority would normally have published planning guidance documents which give useful information on their policies.

Your security concerns are valid planning issues and you should emphasise them in the application.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I don't want to do that it because it will look ridiculous and involve building 2 x 5m long (2m high) walls at 90 degrees to the boundary back to meet the gate piers (which seems to defeat the object of aesthetics and street scene) and close off the house even more plus waste 5m of my drive.

Doesn't that rule, only apply where you would be blocking a road, whilst opening/closing the gates to get a vehicle in/out? You say this is a cul-de-sac, and it reads as if you are at the inner end of that - so unlikely to be delaying anyone whilst you open the gates.

Why 2m high? Much smaller gates can be just as effective, in acting as a barrier, a deterrent to keep people out. I have a 12' wide double gate, plus a small, matching garden gate alongside it, varying in height from 3 to 4.5 feet, with the usual finials on top. The double gate includes the brackets for a padlock to lock them, but I have never found the need to use a padlock. Instead, just use one of those cheap, climbers type, spring shackles. That is rather like one of those Chinese puzzles to undo, unless you know just how to do it. That acts as sufficient of a deterrent.

My main concern, is some stupid individual, managing to open the gates, and just letting them swing out into our busy at times road. My drive rises up from the road, so the hinges are offset vertically, so they rise as they open inwards. Unless restrained, gravity swings them out into the road.

 

[Devon65]

Many thanks for your replies.

I am actually at the start of the cul de sac (not the end) but the entrance is some 20m down the road. And the plan was to automate and geofence the gate so it opens when i get within 0.25 mile of the house so no delays.

2m high because i have had some car vandalism and 1m or 1.2m is too easy to climb over. So might as well have the maximum. Plus I think an open aspect 'see through' 2m high steel gate should be more amenable to planners than a 1.6m solid composite gate which can look like a fortress. Plus I am looking to buy a Belgium Malinios and they could jump 1.5m without even breaking a sweat, not to mention walk a tightrope !

I will make a planning application.