Parking.

[kat-kin]

I've got 3 gardens,2 small ones at the front of the house and a large one one the side as I live in a corner house. As parking is hard to find here I was wondering if I could let the side garden space out. It would take up to 3 cars. Would I need planning permission as the area would have to be tarmaced and the long 8ft hedge cut down plus the side rd is residential tho' most of the houses have had their fronts paved to use for their cars. TIA.

[hc4361]

You would need to apply to the council for a dropped kerb first of all.
Phone your local council and you will find them surprisingly helpful - tell them what you hope to do, what it will involve and over the phone they can access a map of your house and see exactly what you want to do and any potential obstacles.
They will also tell you the cost of dropping the kerb.

Will anybody want to rent your parking spaces? Neighbours, perhaps? How much will you charge?

[Mamyalynne]

Wouldn't there also be insurance implications, as part of your property becomes a business.

HC raises a good point, have you a customer base ready and waiting? If not you could get casual parkers and or fly tippers etc.

[shoota]

Consider caravan storage but beware of attracting 'business rates' as you may find it is not financially viable.

[kat-kin]

Thank for your replies, Most of the houses have paved their fronts for their cars and had their kerbs dropped hc4361. Mamyalynne I hadn't thought of insurance,so thanks for that. shoota,I'll take your advice on board. I wont be doing anything till after Xmas anyway. Where I live is close to the city centre,I advertised my garage for rent 2 years ago and could have let it out at least 10 times for commuters thats what gave me the idea of my side garden. Thanks once more all.

[rockyracoon]

Don't know about your council but round here anyone wanting off street parking has to use a special surface that helps with rainwater in someway or another.

[EDDIE51]

I don't think you need planning permission, there are many house near me that have a paved area with a dropped curb and several cars parked on it. I just assume they are all 'family' cars , who is to know that some of the cars are paying to park? For example the house opposite has 4 cars and a trailer , the couple who live there have a car each and the 2 adult children have a car each.

[hc4361]

I've been thinking about this. I assume you currently have no proper access to your property from the side road, nor right of access. Your proper access is from the other road that your house faces on to.
Also, how close to the corner would the drive be?

Definitely speak to the council - you have to apply to them for a dropped kerb anyway. When I applied for mine they came out and carried out an assessment before sending me the quote in the post.