Is my front garden deep enough?
This is the first question for most Oxbridge homes. As a rule of thumb, you need around 5 to 6 metres from the front of the house, or the bay window, to the back of the footway to park a typical car without overhanging the pavement. Many Victorian terraces here have shallower gardens than that.
If the depth is not there, the council is unlikely to approve a crossing, and parking across the footway is an offence. Measuring before you spend anything saves wasted money.
Designing a small frontage
Where the space works, a few principles help:
- Keep the piers. Retaining the original brick piers and a short length of wall either side of the opening keeps the street's character.
- Choose a warm surface. Red or brindle block paving, clay pavers or a buff resin-bound finish suit Victorian brick better than plain grey.
- Leave a walkway. A narrow strip in a contrasting paver can lead to the door, so you are not walking round the car on a wet lawn.
- Plant something. A small bed by the bay helps drainage and looks less stark.
Drainage on a small plot
On a small frontage the whole garden often becomes hard surface, so there is little lawn to drain into. Using a permeable surface, or a channel drain to a soakaway, keeps water off the footway and avoids needing planning permission under the front-garden rule. See permeable driveways.
Conservation areas nearby
Parts of Stockton's conservation areas carry Article 4 Directions that bring front hard surfacing and changes to front walls under planning control. Some streets near Oxbridge and Hartburn are close to conservation boundaries, so check the council's map for your address. Our conservation areas guide explains the rules.
The dropped kerb
Oxbridge streets are busy with parked cars, which affects visibility. The council assesses each crossing on its site. Apply to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council for a quote, or use a contractor holding its Opening Up licence. See dropped kerbs.
Common questions
My garden is 4.5 metres deep. Can I have a drive?
It may be too shallow for a car not to overhang the footway. The council decides, so ask before building anything.
Can I remove my front wall completely?
You can often remove part of it, but keeping the piers looks better. In an Article 4 area, permission may be needed.
Which surface suits a Victorian terrace?
Red or brindle block paving, clay pavers or a buff resin blend usually suit the brick best.
Do I need planning permission for a small drive?
Not usually if it is permeable or drains within the garden and the property is outside an Article 4 area.