Hi,
Further to the discussion of several months ago, I've had further thoughts, and have decided that using the "wheel chair" dropped kerb on the corner is going to cause too many frowns from the highways people. I have decided that what I really, really want, is a second drive, alongside the first, which will allow me to park, nose (OR tail) in, in front, of the second bedroom study window.
I would then want to widen the existing dropped kerb (which is not mentioned in the existing "Local Authority Standing Orders"). But I would prefer to keep within the letter and spirit of the law.
There is also the matter of the fairly sturdy tree tree growing in the corner between the existing drive, and the footpath. I'm guessing that the planners will frown at it, but I would argue that it is less of an obstacle than a gate post. It will, however, add several inches to the width of the dropped kerb extension.
I would argue that a wider drive would be necessary to facilitate easy access by two drivers, one of whom is disabled. (Barbara has just bought me a pair of "armpit" crutches, and we pay £5 a day for Wilkie to be walked. I'm not whinging yet, but I have a blue badge in mind. Walking hurts, even just around the house).
The LA might argue that this would prevent cars that are visiting the neighbourhood from parking in the road outside my house.
I guestimate my drive is 16 metres from the corner. Subtract four metres from the corner, and another four metres from my drive, as they are both presumed to no parking areas, we are left with 8 metres, maybe enough to park two smallish cars, provided both drivers are wearing their "pedantic" hats. Sensibly, there is room to park one medium size car, plus a 3m wide, second drive (though not enough room to park a car if the above 4 metre constrain is imposed
Ahem! It could be argued that I could lay a drive across the front of the house, T-boning off the existing drive. That would usually mean grazing the opposite kerb with the Freelandere, and doing a U-turn into the front garden, to enter, but doing a zig-zag course to exit, and face the other way ... I live on the corner of a cul-de-sac.
OK, if there is that much room, I'll park the Freelander in the road outside my house. The next legal street parking space is about 100 yards away. at the far end of the cul-de-sac. The hammer head at that end of the cul-de-sac, is often blocked with parked cars.
I once gave black (African?) driver, of the council refuse truck, the thumbs up in recognition of his skill in reversing down my cul-de-sac, zig-zagging between the cars parked in the road. I got a beaming smile in return. We still exchange "tugged forelocks" when we pass.
My daughter's street (deeper into Milton Keynes) is also a cul-de-sac, also with a hammer head at the deep end. One house fronts the full width of one end of the hammer head, which has a triplee dropped kerb There are usually a couple of cars parked in the road, facing the dropped kerb, thus preventing the Freelander doing a U-turn. On Sunday, there were three cars (plus a couple on his drive?). The other end of the hammerhead also usually contains a couple of street parked cars, but that's not within my U-turn area.
To the point, are any of our readers able to comment on my chances of making a successful application to extend my dropped kerb, and/or appealing. My understanding is that there will be a (small) fee for applying, but appeals are (nominally) free.
602
