A dropped kerb allows vehicles to enter a driveway or parking area and access your property, but installing a driveway alone does now guarantee that your dropped kerb will be approved. You need to seek planning permission from your local council who will assess the location of the proposed access and determine if your proposed dropped kerb should be approved.
What Is a Dropped Kerb and Why Do You Need Permission?
A dropped kerb is where the pavement between the road and your property is lowered and strengthened to allow vehicles to cross safely. It’s illegal to drive across a standard pavement without a properly installed dropped kerb, even outside your own property meaning that if you wish to convert your front garden into a driveway, or incorporate a driveway or parking area into the garden design, you will need to request a dropped kerb first.
Under the Highways Act 1980 in England and Wales, and the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 in Scotland, you must obtain permission from your local highway authority before installation, and it is a offence not to do so before creating your new access point.
Driving over a pavement without permission can result in enforcement action from your council, personal liability for pavement damage, and responsibility for damage to utilities beneath the surface. The costs of unauthorised damage can run into thousands of pounds, making the proper application process a wise investment.
Step 1: Check If You Need Planning Permission First
Before applying for a dropped kerb, determine whether you need planning permission for your driveway. You’ll definitely need planning permission for a driveway drop kerb if your property is on a classified road (A, B, or C road), is a listed building, is in a conservation area, or has an Article 4 Direction in place. If planning permission is required, you must obtain this before applying for the dropped kerb.
Step 2: Assess Your Property’s Suitability
Not every property can accommodate a dropped kerb. Your local authority will assess space requirements (minimum driveway depth of 4-5 metres to prevent vehicles overhanging the pavement), safety considerations like visibility and distance from junctions, and ground conditions including whether the pavement requires strengthening.
It’s worth checking these requirements before paying your application fee, as properties with shallow front gardens or poor visibility often face refusal.
Step 3: Gather Required Information
To complete your dropped kerb application, you’ll need property details including proof of ownership, accurate site plans showing the proposed location with measurements, and technical information including details of your chosen contractor and their insurance qualifications.
Many councils now accept hand-drawn sketches for straightforward applications, but accuracy is crucial. Inaccurate measurements are one of the most common reasons for application delays or refusals.
Step 4: Complete the New Dropped Kerb Application Form and Pay the Fee
Most councils now offer online applications. If you are looking to install a driveway in Glasgow, you complete the footway crossing request form through Glasgow City Council’s website. Application processes vary across Scotland with East Dunbartonshire Council charges £79.50 for processing, whilst South Lanarkshire Council offers free permission but requires a separate road opening permit.
Application fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused, typically ranging from £79 to £480 depending on your council. Construction costs typically range from £1,000 to £2,500+ depending on the width, materials, and whether strengthening is needed. These construction costs are usually handled directly by the local council or their approved contractors.
Step 5: Site Assessment and Decision
Once your application and fee are received, your council will arrange a site inspection to assess road safety implications, visibility, ground conditions, and impact on utilities or street furniture. Standard applications take 4-8 weeks for a decision, though complex applications can take up to 12 weeks.
Your council will approve, approve with conditions, or refuse your application. Common refusal reasons include insufficient space, safety concerns about visibility, unsuitable ground conditions, or proximity to junctions within the public highway. If refused, you can often address the concerns and reapply to get permission.
Step 6: Arrange the Construction Work
Once you have been granted permission permission to build a dropped kerb, the construction work is typically carried out by your local council’s approved contractors. Glasgow City Council, may allow you to find a contractor from an approved list of contractors who meet specific requirements including at least £5 million public liability insurance, New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) accreditations, and City & Guilds or equivalent qualifications.
Your contractor will need to apply for a road opening permit before starting work on the public highway. This is separate from your dropped kerb permission and ensures the work meets highway standards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Based on our 40 years of experience helping homeowners with driveway projects, the most common mistakes include not checking if planning permission is needed first, providing inaccurate measurements, having insufficient space (less than 4-5 metres depth), assuming you can install without permission, ignoring drainage requirements, and not considering impact on neighbours.
Take the Next Step
A dropped kerb is essential for creating safe, legal vehicle access, but it’s only the beginning. Your driveway is what truly transforms your property, providing practical benefits and enhancing kerb appeal. Whether you’re in Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland, GGM Landscaping is here to help you create the perfect driveway to match your new access.
With our family-run approach and 40 years of landscaping experience, we understand how dropped kerb applications work and can coordinate your driveway installation to follow once your council approval is secured.
Contact GGM Landscaping today for a free consultation. We’ll discuss your driveway plans, advise on the dropped kerb application process, and provide an honest quote for creating the driveway you’ve been dreaming of. Let Scotland’s trusted landscaping experts help you transform your property’s entrance.