Measure before anything else
A car parked on a short drive that sticks out over the footway is an obstruction, and the council takes that into account when assessing a crossing. Measure from the front of the house, or the bay window if there is one, to the back edge of the pavement. If it is under 5 metres, a crossing is unlikely.
Designing a compact space
- Keep it simple. One rectangle of block paving or resin wide enough to open the car doors.
- Leave a planted strip along one side or under the window for drainage and softening.
- Retain a wall stub or pier each side of the opening if the house had a boundary wall.
- Bins. Plan a spot for them that does not block the car or the door.
Drainage on a small plot
When nearly the whole frontage becomes hard surface, there is little lawn to soak up rain. A permeable finish, or a channel drain to a small soakaway, keeps water off the pavement and avoids needing planning permission under the front-garden rule.
If a drive will not fit
Plenty of Newcomen homes have enclosed back yards. A well-laid porcelain patio, drained properly and sheltered by the yard walls, can transform them.
The application
The property owner applies to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, which prices each crossing. See dropped kerbs.
Common questions
How deep must my garden be?
Usually 5 to 6 metres to park without overhanging the footway.
Can I park across the pavement instead?
No. Parking on or across the footway without a crossing is not allowed.
Which surface is best for a small space?
Block paving or resin. Both can be laid neatly in tight spaces.
What if I rent?
Your landlord must agree and make the application as owner.