As with all our articles we will look at both sides of the coin but let’s start with the positive and ask who uses their front garden? Generally it is not a very private place that would see use apart from entering your property, while it gives the property a green feel can you achieve the same look while adding in the utility of off street parking?
The increase to your property value will be determined by the difficulty and expense of parking in your area, with an increased convenience for the occupants and higher safety for vehicles not having to be at risk on the tight London roads.
A study by the HRS back in 2015 revealed that a quarter of all British houses had traded their grass for paving. With over 32 million cars registered in England and the RAC reporting that cars spend 80% of their time parked at home, you can see the desire for convenient home parking.
The AA says the average parking bay size is 2.4 metres by 4.7 meters (total 11.2 square meters) with asphalt costing £45 to £75 per square metre, before you start getting the calculator and measuring tape out there are some other things to consider. You will need to apply to your local council for a dropped kerb which on average is a non-refundable £250.
Then construction of a basic paved area costs £800-£1200 with the price increasing if objects like tees, utility boxes, cables or pipes have to be moved. The type of material you use, the slope of the driveway and the remaining lawn/garden area may even enable homeowners to avoid planning permission.
A primary concern is the rainwater runoff, having solutions to this will help with planning permission as well as make your house safe from possible flooding. As it is a good thing to remember that garden spaces are healthy for the mind and great removers of pollution (noise and air), so it is good to weigh that with the advantage of parking.
Your neighbours will also appreciate the compromise to keep some green, this avoids the atmosphere of the street being morphed into a concrete slab. Which in turn makes the street and your property less attractive, reversing your intention of increasing the value of your property.
Written by Toby dawson
