Installing a dropped kerb can make it easier and safer to drive onto your property from the public highway. Before you do this, formal written permission must be obtained from the highways authority, Surrey County Council.
There are three key steps to getting the correct advice and permission.
Step one: enquiry
To find out whether planning permission is required, email us at developmentmanagement@woking.gov.uk
You will need to provide us with a drawing or diagram showing:
- exactly where the kerb is that you wish to drop
- any existing dropped kerbs to your own property
- any existing dropped kerbs to neighbouring properties
- any existing dropped kerbs to any properties which are opposite yours
A £50 (inc VAT) administration fee applies. Pay online using the 'Planning' option and quoting your property address.
Once we have received your payment and we tell you that planning permission is required, you must apply for written permission. Now go to step two - outlined below.
If we confirm that you don't need planning permission, you still need to apply for local highways permission from Surrey County Council. Now go to step three - outlined below.
Step two: obtaining local authority permission
This step is only necessary if planning permission is required.
Please complete the following steps.
- complete an online planning application
- view current planning applications fees
- pay the ‘Householder application’ fee online.
Once we have issued you with a decision notice granting planning permission, you will need to apply for local highways permission from Surrey County Council. Now go to step three below.
Step three: obtaining local highways permission
You are now required to apply for permission from the local highways authority, Surrey County Council. Before making your application, you are advised to read their guidance notes.
Please submit all of the following items:
- a completed application form
- a copy of your local authority permission (letter or decision notice)
- the required fee.
Apply to Surrey County Council for dropped kerb access
After considering your application, Surrey County Council may give you their written permission and provide a quote for the work to be completed.
Legal considerations
Any roadside land which you do not own is likely to be part of a private road or a public highway.
It is important to understand that you will make yourself liable to prosecution for trespass and/or causing damage if you do not have a legal right of way to cross over land which you do not own then, whenever you do this.
Such liability to prosecution applies to any land which you do not own, no matter how small or how narrow the strip or piece of land may be.