| Isn't it a shame that for most folk, taking a | | | | it does involve a degree of risk that is explained |
| holiday means moving en-mass with millions of | | | | within our Planning guide. |
| other people also doing the same thing! Long | | | | Properties on unclassified roads can have a field |
| journeys, loads of bodies at airports & long | | | | day as no formal Planning permission is normally |
| traffic queues in humid conditions - why do we do | | | | required & a new access can be installed in |
| it? | | | | any location. Regretfully, this has led to some |
| Strange thing is, - do we ever notice any easier | | | | very unsightly car parking spaces in small front |
| parking provision in our towns & cities while | | | | gardens of lovely Victorian terraces for example. |
| all these people are travelling away from home to | | | | Generally speaking, the smaller the property |
| these holiday locations? I haven't. | | | | & its front garden, the harder it is to design |
| For a great many of us (myself included), street | | | | something that respects the local character. |
| parking outside ones own home is getting to be a | | | | As a guide, great attention & detailing must |
| bit of a luxury these days. Those properties with | | | | be placed on material selection & ancillary |
| well designed highway access & off road | | | | landscaping elements. You would be amazed just |
| parking have a definite added value element to | | | | how much a car parking space can be improved |
| their homes that will be of even greater value as | | | | visually with strategically located planting, bunding, |
| the years proceed. | | | | planters, paving & curves - yes curves. The |
| Therefore, any property without the facility for | | | | poorest quality of car parking simply uses gravel |
| off road car parking may be seriously less | | | | or concrete without any edge detailing or thinking |
| desirable in 5 years time for example. There is | | | | as to the pedestrian access to the front or side |
| also a 'sustainability' element that conflicts with this | | | | doors when a car is actually parked - poor old |
| desire for people to park their 4 wheel 'designer | | | | posty can have one hell of a job delivering the |
| badge' off the road. I guarantee you will not see | | | | mail at times. |
| many late model Merc's BMW's or other german | | | | So think about these issues & don't try to |
| machinery parked in the gutter these days. Many | | | | install an off road car parking facility on the cheap |
| Planners would have you believe that we are | | | | as that's exactly how your properties curb side |
| unable to sustain this level of car dependency but | | | | appeal will be - cheap!. |
| even if petrol went up to £10 a gallon, | | | | Finding out whether or not your property is on a |
| most people would rather starve than not put | | | | classified road is simply a matter of telephoning |
| juice in the car to get us around - it's a freedom | | | | the council & asking that question. Also, |
| thing! | | | | please remember that you will still need to have a |
| So, your property does not have any off street | | | | dropped kerb installed & this can only be |
| parking at present but has the ability to be | | | | completed by a contractor that is on the |
| modified to incorporate such a space or three. I | | | | Highways approved list as they need a huge |
| can guarantee that the cost of installing such a | | | | amount of liability insurance to dig up pavements |
| facility for a dwelling (even if it is just one car | | | | & roads. Again, have this done correctly with |
| space) will add significantly to the value & | | | | the proper matching sets & materials for |
| desirability of your home & is often a very | | | | making good. A concrete repaired path adjoining |
| easy thing to have done. The problem arises | | | | tarmac looks awful. |
| when people do this without any thought for the | | | | If you can, always make sure that your actual |
| design, materials & if Planning Consent is | | | | parking bay area is of a min. size of 2.4M x 4.8M. |
| required. | | | | You may only have a small mini but the next |
| Generally speaking, if you live on a classified road | | | | owner is bound to have a boring BMW that wont |
| (A, B, C, D, etc.) then you will need formal | | | | fit & most people who pander to these |
| planning permission. When consent is required the | | | | German status symbols wont change their car to |
| Highways have a whole set of requirements for | | | | fit your parking slot. Also remember that you |
| vision splays, materials, dimensions etc. that many | | | | should allow a greater width of parking bay if |
| properties are unable to comply with. So even if | | | | your have raised walling or planters for example |
| you could do it, you may well be prevented on | | | | around the bay other wise you may not get out |
| road safety issues by the Highways & | | | | of the car door. |
| Planning Dept. There can be ways around this but | | | | |