Planning Permission Tips UK - Off Road Car Parking - What Value - Do You Need to Apply for Planning

Isn't it a shame that for most folk, taking a holiday means moving en-mass with millions of other people also doing the same thing! Long journeys, loads of bodies at airports & long traffic queues in humid conditions - why do we do it?

Strange thing is, - do we ever notice any easier parking provision in our towns & cities while all these people are travelling away from home to these holiday locations? I haven't.

For a great many of us (myself included), street parking outside ones own home is getting to be a bit of a luxury these days. Those properties with well designed highway access & off road parking have a definite added value element to their homes that will be of even greater value as the years proceed.

Therefore, any property without the facility for off road car parking may be seriously less desirable in 5 years time for example. There is also a 'sustainability' element that conflicts with this desire for people to park their 4 wheel 'designer badge' off the road. I guarantee you will not see many late model Merc's BMW's or other german machinery parked in the gutter these days. Many Planners would have you believe that we are unable to sustain this level of car dependency but even if petrol went up to £10 a gallon, most people would rather starve than not put juice in the car to get us around - it's a freedom thing!

So, your property does not have any off street parking at present but has the ability to be modified to incorporate such a space or three. I can guarantee that the cost of installing such a facility for a dwelling (even if it is just one car space) will add significantly to the value & desirability of your home & is often a very easy thing to have done. The problem arises when people do this without any thought for the design, materials & if Planning Consent is required.

Generally speaking, if you live on a classified road (A, B, C, D, etc.) then you will need formal planning permission. When consent is required the Highways have a whole set of requirements for vision splays, materials, dimensions etc. that many properties are unable to comply with. So even if you could do it, you may well be prevented on road safety issues by the Highways & Planning Dept. There can be ways around this but it does involve a degree of risk that is explained within our Planning guide.

Properties on unclassified roads can have a field day as no formal Planning permission is normally required & a new access can be installed in any location. Regretfully, this has led to some very unsightly car parking spaces in small front gardens of lovely Victorian terraces for example. Generally speaking, the smaller the property & its front garden, the harder it is to design something that respects the local character.

As a guide, great attention & detailing must be placed on material selection & ancillary landscaping elements. You would be amazed just how much a car parking space can be improved visually with strategically located planting, bunding, planters, paving & curves - yes curves. The poorest quality of car parking simply uses gravel or concrete without any edge detailing or thinking as to the pedestrian access to the front or side doors when a car is actually parked - poor old posty can have one hell of a job delivering the mail at times.

So think about these issues & don't try to install an off road car parking facility on the cheap as that's exactly how your properties curb side appeal will be - cheap!.

Finding out whether or not your property is on a classified road is simply a matter of telephoning the council & asking that question. Also, please remember that you will still need to have a dropped kerb installed & this can only be completed by a contractor that is on the Highways approved list as they need a huge amount of liability insurance to dig up pavements & roads. Again, have this done correctly with the proper matching sets & materials for making good. A concrete repaired path adjoining tarmac looks awful.

If you can, always make sure that your actual parking bay area is of a min. size of 2.4M x 4.8M. You may only have a small mini but the next owner is bound to have a boring BMW that wont fit & most people who pander to these German status symbols wont change their car to fit your parking slot. Also remember that you should allow a greater width of parking bay if your have raised walling or planters for example around the bay other wise you may not get out of the car door.

Our 'Maximum Build Planning Guide' explains further the tactics involved when developing land or a site for residential use & how to give yourself the best chance of being granted a planning permission or planning approval.

http://www.planning-approval.co.uk

---

Planning Permission Tips UK - Free Design Advice In The UK - How And Where To Get It

Isn't it funny how people shelve projects for the new... Read More

How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits

VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners,... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for... Read More

Luxurious Whirlpool Baths Aren?t Just for the Rich and Famous

A Jacuzzi has been popular since the 40's. We stopped... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know

Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is... Read More

Hardwood Floors: Beautiful, But a Pain to Keep Clean

Hardwood Floors are beautiful to look at and expensive to... Read More

Log Wall Characteristics

Looking at all the beautiful full-color glossy photos of log... Read More

Log Homes for Beginners - 10 Steps to Success

For those who may be thinking of building a new... Read More

5 Steps for Creating a Garage You Can Love ? and Use

A major US corporation recently launched a new line of... Read More

Motion Detector Technology

Motion detectors are in use all around us in both... Read More

How to Choose a Freezer for Home

The average household freezer is a silent slave. It operates... Read More

Use Ladders Safely

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year more... Read More

Heated Driveways: Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How

What are heated driveways? The obvious answer is, "a driveway... Read More

Installing a Brick or Paver Walkway

The use of Bricks or Pavers to create a walkway... Read More

Dehumidifiers Wring Out Your Home

Anyone that has a home office or bedroom in the... Read More

Single Pane Window Glass Repair in an Aluminum Frame

Let's suppose you still have those old aluminum single pane... Read More

Vinyl Replacement Window Terminology

With so many homeowners in the market for more energy... Read More

How To Know If Interior Design Is Right for You

Have you ever seen a beautiful house or office building... Read More

Would You Steel Your Household Appliances

Would you steel your appliances? That is a question many... Read More

Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables

Research & Development I began designing audio and video interconnect... Read More

Guide to Bathroom Design

The first step is to plan the design ? as... Read More

Tips for Designing with Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floor styles come in strips, planks and parquet, and... Read More

Imported Tools vs. Brand Name - Are They As Good?

So you are looking for hand or power tools on... Read More

Refrigerators Electric Consumption - Lower It In 15 Minutes

I recently had a customer ask for my advise about... Read More

A Fabric Hammock is Comfortable Casual Chic

If you are looking for unique seating inside or out,... Read More

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple... Read More

A Healthy Home

Your home is your castle. You decide, possibly together with... Read More

How to Select Exterior Shutters

Installing exterior shutters is a relatively quick way to add... Read More

Operation Closet

When the wife comes to you one fine day and... Read More

Light Up Your Life

A house or any particular room can be carefully planned,... Read More

Selecting Color Schemes

Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a... Read More

From Toss Out to Sensational Keeper - Lamp Re-Make

When the old lamp from my children's room was turning... Read More

Your Shower Door Can Have A Huge Impact On The Look And Feel Of Your Bathroom!

These days shower doors come in a wide variety of... Read More