Creating or widening a driveway can significantly improve access, parking, and convenience at your home. In many cases, however, planning permission is required before works can begin, particularly where a new vehicular entrance, alterations to boundary walls, or changes to footpaths are involved.
Property Health Check now provides a dedicated service to help homeowners understand and navigate the planning requirements for vehicular driveways.
Do You Need Planning Permission for a Driveway?
A driveway may require planning permission if the proposal includes any of the following:
- Creating a new vehicular entrance onto a public road
- Widening an existing entrance beyond the exempted development limits
- Altering or removing boundary walls, pillars, fences, or railings
- Changes affecting public footpaths, verges, or roadside drainage
- Driveway works in protected or conservation areas
Our team will review the proposed works in line with the Planning and Development Regulations and your local authority’s specific requirements.
Our Driveway Planning Permission Service
We provide a clear, structured service to support you from initial assessment through to submission:
1. Feasibility Review
We assess your property layout, boundary constraints, traffic sightlines, gradients, drainage, and any planning constraints to determine whether the proposal is likely to be approved.
2. Drawings & Documentation
We prepare the required planning drawings and documents, including:
- Existing and proposed site layout plans
- Entrance and boundary details
- Elevations where required
- Site location and site notice maps
- Planning application forms
All drawings are produced to the standards required by local authorities.
3. Planning Application Submission
We manage the planning application on your behalf, ensuring all documents are correctly submitted and statutory requirements are met.
4. Liaison with the Local Authority
If the planning officer requests clarification or further information, we coordinate and respond promptly to keep the application moving.
Common Reasons Applications Fail
Homeowners often encounter difficulties due to:
- Insufficient visibility splays for vehicles
- Safety concerns regarding nearby junctions
- Structural risks to retaining walls or boundary structures
- Impact on pedestrians or public pathways
- Working within an Architectural Conservation Area
Our early-stage assessment helps identify and address these issues.
Why Us?
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Established and Experienced
Since 2001 we have provided property related engineering services to over 25,000 satisfied Irish families and businesses. -
End-to-End Service
From initial assessment to decision, we manage the entire process so you don’t have to. -
Fast Turnaround
We know time matters when you're preparing to sell. We act quickly to assess, prepare, and submit your application. -
Local Authority Expertise
We understand how each council works and how to present a strong, successful application.
Get Started
If you’re considering adding or widening a driveway, we can guide you through the planning process with clarity and confidence.
Contact us today to discuss your proposal or request a quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Creating or altering a driveway often involves interaction with public roads, kerbs, and drainage systems. Property Health Check can help homeowners identify if permission or retention is needed for existing or proposed works.
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Do I need planning permission for a new driveway entrance?
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Are there exemptions?
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Is separate permission required for dropping the kerb?
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What should I include in my application?
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Are permeable surfaces required?
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What if the driveway has already been widened without permission?