Dropped kerb or vehicle crossover package
A technical package for a new dropped kerb or vehicle crossover, for submission to the highway authority.
About this service
Turning a front garden into a driveway means crossing the public footway, and that needs the highway authority's approval. The authority wants to know the crossover will be safe, will not harm street trees or utilities, and leaves enough space to park without the car overhanging the pavement. Our dropped kerb package gives the council the technical drawings and checks it needs to assess your application.
Each London council sets its own crossover policy, and they vary more than people expect. Common requirements include a minimum front garden depth, restrictions near junctions, trees and bus stops, and limits on width. Some boroughs restrict new crossovers in controlled parking zones. Planning permission may also be needed, for example on a classified road, for flats or in a conservation area. We check the rules for your borough before drawing anything.
We have completed crossover packages on 4 projects in London. The package covers the site assessment, layout drawings, visibility and gradient checks, and support through the application. The council's own application and construction fees are not included, as most boroughs build the crossover themselves or use an approved contractor. Where the frontage paving also needs designing, our external works and levels design covers falls and drainage.
When you need it
- You want to create a new driveway access
- The council needs drawings and information for a crossover application
What's included
- Site assessment
- Crossover layout drawings
- Visibility and gradient checks
- Application support
How it works
- Check the policyWe review your council's crossover policy and any planning requirements for your property, so you know early whether the proposal is likely to be acceptable.
- Assess the siteWe measure the frontage, garden depth and levels, and note street trees, lamp columns, gullies, utility covers, parking bays and nearby junctions that could affect the position.
- Draw the layoutWe prepare a layout showing the dropped kerb, parking space, boundary treatment and surfacing, with visibility splays and the gradient from footway to driveway, so the council can see the access works safely.
- Support the applicationWe help you complete the council's application, provide the drawings in the format it asks for, and answer technical questions from the highways team until a decision is made.
What you receive
Front garden depth, street trees and drainage
Depth is the most common reason crossovers are refused. A car parked at right angles to the street must fit fully within your boundary, and many councils set a minimum depth to make sure of that. Street trees are the next issue. Councils protect their trees and roots, so a crossover close to one may be refused or need a different position. Utility covers and lamp columns can sometimes be moved, but at your cost.
Paving a front garden also affects drainage. Under householder permitted development rules, new or replacement hard surfaces over five square metres in a front garden generally need to be permeable or drain to a lawn or border, otherwise planning permission is needed. Rainwater must not run onto the footway. Our drainage strategy guide explains how surface water is usually handled.
Not included
- Council application and construction fees
Frequently asked questions
Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb in London?
Not always. You always need highway authority consent for the crossover itself. Planning permission is typically also needed if the road is classified, if the property is a flat or maisonette, or where local restrictions such as an Article 4 direction apply. Your council will confirm, and we check this as part of the package.
How deep does a front garden need to be for a driveway?
Requirements vary by council, but most want a parked car to sit fully within the property without overhanging the footway. That generally means a depth of at least a standard car length plus a margin. We measure your frontage and check it against your council's policy before you apply, so you do not pay an application fee for a refusal.
Who builds a dropped kerb?
In most London boroughs the council builds the crossover itself, or uses its approved contractor, once the application is approved and paid for. You usually cannot appoint your own builder to work on the public footway. Work inside your boundary, such as the driveway surface and edging, remains your responsibility.
How much does a dropped kerb technical package cost?
Our dropped kerb or vehicle crossover package starts from £450 + VAT. That covers our site assessment, drawings, checks and application support. The council's application and construction fees are separate and vary between boroughs. We confirm our fixed fee in writing before any work starts.