If you have wanted to make changes to the pavement in front of your house recently, you might have applied to the council to have a kerb dropped.

This could be to make accessibility easier when getting onto the pavement or as a way to park your car on your driveway.

For those waiting for a decision from their local authority, you could be wondering if an application for a dropped kerb can be refused.

Let’s find out according to the home experts.

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Can a dropped kerb be refused?

Unfortunately, a dropped kerb application can be refused for several different reasons.

Homebuilding and Renovations adds: “For example, if the space available for the parked vehicle is not large enough, or if it is too close to a junction or if the visibility is so restricted by walls, hedges or other obstructions that it wouldn’t be safe for your vehicle to cross the pavement there.

“Other issues, like the need to move trees, road signs, bus stops or amend parking restrictions can be overcome, but each of these will cost, around £600 for a tree removal and replacement, or up to £3,000 each for the others.

“If you need to alter any underground utility pipes or wires, then the costs will jump considerably.”

Do you need planning permission for a dropped kerb?

When applying for a dropped kerb, you need to be granted a special dropped kerb or domestic vehicle crossing licence from your local highway authority, which is usually your county council or the unitary authority.

Homebuilding and Renovating explains: “Before that though, and in addition, you may need planning permission from your local planning authority which, depending on where you live, may be a different level of local government to the highway authority.

“Specifically, you will need planning permission if your property is on a classified road (an A, B or C road), or if it is a listed building or in a conservation area, or if it’s something other than a house for a single family — if it’s a flat or a maisonette, or a commercial or industrial building for example.

“You will also need planning permission if you need to raise any of the levels by half a metre or more, or lower them by 1 metre or more.”

When Do You Need Planning Permission?

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Can you appeal a dropped kerb refusal?

Buy A Plan states: “If you are refused planning permission, you can appeal.

“Depending on where you live in the UK, this may take the form of a hearing by a local committee or the lodging of your appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

“You can ask the local Planning Department to explain the procedure that applies in your area.”

If you have any questions about applying for a dropped kerb or want to find out more information, contact your local authority.