A street of its era
Lanehouse Road has nearly 500 properties, and most of its houses were built between 1900 and the 1950s, with many from around the time of the First World War. Semi-detached houses and mid-terraces dominate. That mix means frontages vary a lot from one block to the next.
Measure first
Measure from the front of the bay (not the main wall) to the back of the footway. If a car cannot fit within that depth, the council is unlikely to approve a crossing, because the car would overhang the pavement.
Busy road considerations
On a main route, visibility for drivers reversing out, and for pedestrians and cyclists passing, gets careful attention. A design that lets you drive in forwards and reverse out with a clear view, or turn within the plot on a wider semi, helps.
Designs that work
- A single rectangle of block paving or resin, cut neatly around the bay.
- Brick piers or short wall returns kept either side of the opening.
- A narrow planted strip to soften the frontage and take rainwater.
- A defined spot for bins that does not block the car.
Side streets
Off the main road, side streets are quieter but often narrower, with tighter turning into a drive. Check that you can swing in without crossing the neighbour's frontage.
Common questions
Is Lanehouse Road a classified road?
Classification affects whether planning permission is needed for a new access. Ask the council when you apply.
How deep must my garden be?
Usually 5 metres or more clear of the bay.
Can I share a crossing with next door?
Sometimes, if both owners agree and the design works.
What if a drive will not fit?
A good back-yard patio may be a better use of the budget.