What are the Planning Rules for Driveway Gates?
Navigating planning permission and ensuring your driveway gates are compliant with regulations is key. Planning rules for driveway gates hinge predominantly on two elements: height and location.
When You Require Planning Permission
Planning permission is required if the gates are adjacent to a highway (which includes all public roads) or a footpath and exceed 1 metre in height. If the gate is located elsewhere on the property, then planning permission is required if the gate is over 2 metres in height. This rule is uniform, but always check specific local variations, particularly when dealing with gates in conservation areas where nearly all changes, including those to gates, garden walls, or boundaries, often require special consent.
You will also need to seek planning permission if your home is either a listed building or is within the curtilage of a listed building, and if your right to repair or install gates and boundaries has been taken away from you.
When You Do Not Require Planning Permission
Planning permission is not required if the gate does not exceed one meter in height, as this is the maximum height allowed by regulations. However, if the gate is to be placed in another location, such as next to an unadopted road, it can be up to two metres tall from ground level.
If you are replacing your current gate with one that is of the same height or shorter, you will not need to seek approval. Additionally, you will not require planning permission from the local authority if you are replacing an existing gate, garden wall, or boundary feature with one of comparable height in the same location.
Approval is also not required if there are no listed buildings on the site or within the property’s curtilage in any way, You will be permitted development permission and won’t require approval.
Why You Might Not Receive Planning Permission
Even if you follow all of the regulations, the materials and design of your driveway gate can impact the likelihood of approval. Opting for a wooden driveway gate that blends seamlessly with the existing boundary feature may be more likely to sail through without special approvals compared to stark, modern electric gates. Remember, it’s not just about personal taste; your gate’s design and materials must harmonise with local planning requirements.