If you are looking to extend your driveway and widen your existing dropped kerb, you may be wondering whether planning permission is required. Extending a vehicle crossover is a common home improvement that can provide additional off-street parking, improve manoeuvrability when entering and leaving your property, and potentially increase your home’s value. However, the process is not always straightforward, and understanding the rules before you start is essential to avoid delays, enforcement action, or unnecessary expense.
What Is a Dropped Kerb?
A dropped kerb — also known as a vehicle crossover — is a section of pavement where the kerb has been lowered to allow vehicles to cross the footway and access a private driveway. It provides a safe, legal means of driving onto your property without mounting a full-height kerb, which can damage your vehicle, the pavement surface, and underground utilities. A properly constructed dropped kerb also protects pedestrians by clearly defining where vehicles may cross the footway, with tactile paving and gradient changes that alert people with visual impairments.
The benefits of having a dropped kerb and driveway are significant. Off-street parking offers convenience and security, removes the daily competition for on-street spaces, makes loading and unloading easier, and can add measurable value to your property — particularly in urban areas where parking is at a premium.
The Legal Framework
Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 provides the legal basis for vehicle crossings in England and Wales. It states that “vehicles must not cross a footway or verge unless a proper vehicle crossing has been constructed with the consent of the local highway authority.” This means that any new vehicle crossing, or any modification to an existing one — including extending its width — requires the formal consent of the highway authority. Crossing a footway without an approved crossover is an offence and can result in enforcement action, reinstatement costs, and liability for any damage caused to the highway.
When Planning Permission Is Required
Property on a Classified Road
If your property is located on a classified road — that is, an A road, B road, or C road — planning permission is required for any new or extended vehicle access. Classified roads carry higher volumes of traffic at greater speeds, and the local planning authority must assess the impact of the proposed access on highway safety and traffic flow before granting approval. This requirement applies under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order, which removes permitted development rights for vehicle crossings on classified roads.
Property Divided into Flats
Permitted development rights for vehicle crossings apply only to single dwellinghouses. If your property has been converted into flats or is used as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), you will need to submit a planning application for any new or extended dropped kerb. The planning authority will consider the impact on parking provision for all residents, the effect on the streetscape, and whether the proposed access is safe and practical for the level of vehicle movements anticipated.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
Properties within a designated conservation area are subject to additional restrictions designed to preserve the character and appearance of the area. Extending a dropped kerb or adding new hard surfacing to a front garden may require planning permission, even where it would normally be permitted development. The council will assess the impact of the proposed works on the visual quality of the streetscape, including the materials used and the loss of any soft landscaping. For listed buildings, any external works that affect the setting or character of the building are likely to require both planning permission and listed building consent.
Structural Work
If the proposed extension involves significant engineering or construction work beyond simply lowering the kerb — for example, constructing retaining walls, altering ground levels, or building new boundary structures — planning permission may be triggered. The extent of the works will determine whether the project falls within permitted development or requires a formal application.
More Than 5 Square Metres of Impermeable Paving
If the extended driveway area exceeds 5m² of impermeable surfacing, such as standard concrete or traditional asphalt, you will need planning permission unless the surface is permeable or the design directs rainwater run-off to a lawn, border, soakaway, or other permeable area within your property. This rule was introduced to combat the increase in urban flooding caused by the loss of front gardens to hard surfacing.
Substantial Extensions
If the proposed extension would significantly increase the width of the crossing or create a notably different access arrangement — for example, converting a single-width crossing to a double-width one — the council may determine that a full planning application is required. Each case is assessed on its merits, taking into account the impact on pedestrian safety, on-street parking availability, and the character of the street.
How DKP Can Help
At DKP, we specialise in dropped kerb and driveway planning and have helped homeowners across the UK navigate the application process successfully. Our team understands that every property and every local authority is different, and we tailor our approach accordingly.
We begin by researching your local council’s specific requirements, including your road classification, conservation area status, tree preservation orders, and any local planning policies that may affect your proposal. This initial research ensures we understand exactly what approvals are needed before any application is submitted.
Our experienced team then prepares all required planning drawings to a professional standard, including location plans, block plans, cross-sections, and visibility splay diagrams. These drawings are produced to the specifications required by your local authority, ensuring they meet validation requirements and support a robust application.
We submit your planning application on your behalf as your appointed agent, completing all forms accurately and assembling the full package of supporting documents. Throughout the application process, we handle all correspondence and queries from the local planning authority, responding promptly to any requests for additional information or amendments.
Once planning permission has been granted, we can also assist with the dropped kerb licence application to the highway authority, guiding you through the separate approval process and helping you understand the requirements for construction, contractor selection, and inspection.
Contact us for an appraisal of your dropped kerb extension. We will review your property and advise on whether planning permission is required. Get in touch today.