A dropped kerb, also called a vehicle crossover, allows vehicles to cross the pavement from the road to a driveway or parking area. GOV.UK explains that homeowners should contact their local council to apply for a dropped kerb, because the process is handled locally.

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A dropped kerb is not always a straightforward planning application. Planning Portal guidance says dropped kerbs are largely not a planning matter, but planning permission may be required depending on factors such as whether the road is classified, whether the property is divided into flats, whether structural work is needed, whether the property is listed or in a conservation area, or whether the works are being carried out in isolation.

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Dropped kerb planning issues can arise where:

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• A new vehicle access is being created

• An existing crossover is being widened

• The property is on a classified or trunk road

• The property is a flat, maisonette or commercial premises

• The driveway involves more than 5 square metres of non-permeable hardstanding

• A front wall, fence, railing or gate is being removed or altered

• The property is in a conservation area

• The property is listed or close to a listed building

• The access affects highway visibility or pedestrian safety

• The driveway is close to a junction, crossing, tree, lamp post or utility cover

• The council needs clear plans before it will consider the crossover

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Ask PAS About Dropped Kerb Plans and Drawings

 

Dropped kerb applications often need clear layout drawings. The council needs to understand where the new vehicle access will be, how the driveway will work and how the proposal relates to the road, pavement, front boundary and parking area.

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Planning Application Services (PAS) can prepare dropped kerb plans and driveway access drawings to help explain the proposal clearly.

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PAS can help show:

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• The existing frontage

• The proposed crossover position

• The proposed driveway or parking area

• The relationship to the road and pavement

• The width of the proposed access

• Existing and proposed boundary walls, fences, railings or gates

• Vehicle parking position within the site

• Visibility and access arrangements

• Drainage and surfacing information where relevant

• Whether planning permission, highways approval or a lawful development certificate may be needed

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PAS can prepare plans and drawings for:

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• New dropped kerbs

• Widened dropped kerbs

• Vehicle crossover applications

• Front garden parking layouts

• Driveway access drawings

• Dropped kerbs linked to new driveways

• Dropped kerbs linked to entrance gates

• Dropped kerbs linked to front boundary changes

• Dropped kerbs on classified roads

• Dropped kerbs in conservation areas

• Retrospective driveway access issues

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Planning Permission and Highways Approval Are Different

 

A dropped kerb can involve two separate issues:

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• Planning permission — where the proposal needs planning approval because of the road type, property type, location, surfacing, conservation issues or associated works.

• Highways approval — permission from the local highways authority to physically alter the pavement, kerb and highway crossover.

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This distinction matters because planning approval does not automatically mean the council will approve the physical crossover works, and a highway crossover application may still be needed even where planning permission is not required.

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Planning Portal guidance also notes that work to create a dropped kerb must be carried out by an accredited contractor, and most local planning authorities provide information about approved or accredited contractors on their websites.

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Classified Roads, Flats and Conservation Areas

 

Dropped kerbs are more likely to need planning input where the road or property is sensitive.

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For example, Haringey Council says planning permission is needed where the crossover is directly on a classified road, where the property is listed, where the property is not a house, or where the proposed hardstanding is more than 5 square metres of non-permeable surface. It also identifies conservation area issues, including removing a front wall over 1 metre high or where an Article 4 Direction applies.

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This can be important for:

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• A, B or C classified roads

• Flats and maisonettes

• Commercial properties

• Converted houses

• Conservation areas

• Listed buildings

• Article 4 areas

• Front gardens with walls, railings or traditional boundaries

• Streets where off-street parking may affect the character of the area

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PAS can help prepare the plans and supporting information needed to explain the proposal before the council reviews the planning or highway position.

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What a Dropped Kerb Planning Package May Include

 

The exact information depends on the property, road and council requirements, but a typical dropped kerb package may include:

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• Site location plan

• Block plan

• Existing frontage layout

• Proposed driveway layout

• Proposed vehicle crossover position

• Parking space layout

• Existing and proposed boundary treatment

• Front wall, fence, railing or gate details where relevant

• Surface material notes

• Drainage notes where needed

• Photos of the existing frontage

• Street scene photos where useful

• Access and visibility notes where needed

• Supporting planning notes

• Lawful development certificate support where appropriate

• Planning application submission support

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A clear drawing package helps the council understand the access, driveway, frontage and highway relationship before works are carried out.

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Why Professional Support Helps

 

Dropped kerb and driveway access projects can become awkward if the planning, highways and driveway layout issues are not checked together.

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Professional support can help you avoid:

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• Assuming a dropped kerb is only a contractor job

• Missing the difference between planning permission and highways approval

• Applying without showing a proper driveway layout

• Creating a parking space that is too shallow or impractical

• Overlooking classified road restrictions

• Missing conservation area, listed building or Article 4 issues

• Forgetting that front walls, railings and gates may also matter

• Using non-permeable surfacing without dealing with drainage

• Submitting weak sketches instead of proper planning drawings

• Starting driveway works before the crossover position is confirmed

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PAS can help prepare the drawings and application information so the council can understand the proposal clearly from the start.

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Full-Service Support from PAS

 

PAS can provide support from the first planning check through to the application and next stages.

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This may include:

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• Initial dropped kerb planning review

• Driveway access plans and drawings

• Existing and proposed frontage layouts

• Site and block plans

• Parking layout drawings

• Boundary wall, fence or gate drawings where needed

• Drainage and surfacing notes

• Planning application support

• Lawful development certificate support

• Help responding to council queries

• Support where the dropped kerb forms part of a driveway, gate, carport, garage or wider frontage project

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A dropped kerb can make a driveway usable and legal, but the planning, highway, drainage and frontage issues should be checked before the driveway or crossover works begin.

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Get expert help with your dropped kerb project

 

Whether you need dropped kerb plans, driveway access drawings, a planning application, lawful development certificate support, frontage drawings or help understanding the council process, Planning Application Services (PAS) can help you understand what is needed and provide a clear quote for the right level of support.

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Tell us where the access is proposed, send any photos, sketches, existing driveway details or council letters you have, and we can advise on the next steps.