Off-road parking is pretty high up on the list of Things Brits Want in a New Gaff, and it has been for a long time. It means you always have somewhere to put your car and it’s also more secure.
It’s so popular, in fact, that many UK housebuyers have it as one of their must-have criteria in their searches, so if you already have it, it could reel the punters right in.
Growing more popular than ever
Insurance provider Direct Line conducted research recently into off-street parking. It found that more and more homeowners were applying to lower their kerbs so that their cars can drive into their front gardens or driveways.
In 2015 there were more than 29,500 successful applications for dropped kerbs – a 50% increase on 2013. This number was out of just over 42,000 applications in 2015, up by more than 13,000 on 2013.
Homeowners must ask for permission to drop their kerbs, because driving over a non-lowered pavement isn’t allowed as it could damage cables or pipes underneath.
If the kerb is lowered, it also allows the pavement to be strengthened in order to take the weight of the car.
Councils can charge for the application
Local councils can charge for a dropped kerb application; some accept the applications free of charge (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council is one example) and others charge almost £300 (Dorset County Council charges £267.50). The national average is £66.
More cars, more applications
There are more cars on our roads, as well as more on-road parking restrictions, so there will be more and more demand for off-street parking. If you’re selling your home and you already have off-street parking, you should highlight the fact to any potential buyers. If you don’t, then it may well be a sensible investment to apply for permission from your council. Even if you don’t have time to put it into action, your buyers will no doubt take up the opportunity!
