Open front parking policy

Harlow New Town was originally designed so that front gardens would be 'open' in appearance – with no fences, walls, intrusions or parking of any vehicle. However, changes over the years have meant that, in some cases, Harlow Council has started to relax these policies. More people own cars now than ever before, which has made parking in some areas a problem. Residents now want to be able to park cars on their own front gardens.

If you want to park on your front garden, you must get permission from the council first. This applies to all residents in the town – not just council tenants.

How to apply

All applications from residents (individuals or groups) will be checked by the council’s Covenant Control team against the criteria set out below. 

Before you can park on your front garden you must have permission to do so.

This will only be granted if:

• The technical and other criteria are met.
• A relaxation of the policy on your particular estate is agreed.
• Approval is granted by Essex County Council for a dropped crossing.

To apply for open front parking, fill in the application form and send it to Open Front Parking.

Charges

A charge of £102 is made for each application. This must be paid whether permission is granted or not, so please check the criteria carefully before applying.

Planning permission

You may need planning permission for paving your front garden. If you have not had the works carried out to pave your front garden you will require planning permission as well as open front parking permission if:

1. The hard standing is greater than 5m2. (2.5m x 2.5m)
2. The material you use is not porous or there is no run-off to a porous or permeable surface.

If you are using gravel then it is advisable that you have a ridge or some means to retain the gravel on your property so it does not spread out onto the highway or pavement.

Technical and other criteria

Even if you live in an area that has a serious parking problem, there is no guarantee that you will be able to have a hardstand on your front garden.

As the application fee is non-refundable, please check the following details before applying.

1. Applications from residents who live on a bus route will be considered on their individual merits (i.e. if there is already front garden parking on the route).
2. Parking on your front garden must not affect any sight lines – see “sight lines” diagram.
3. You must pay the cost of dropping the kerb and making alterations to the pavement.
4. You must only park small cars or light vans on your front garden, one that would fit into a single domestic garage.
5. Harlow Council now has the power to enforce against unauthorised parking on dropped kerbs.
6. The hardstand should be built to a standard size of 5.5m x 2.9m (18’04” x 9’5”). Minimum bay size of 5.0m x 2.5m (16’6” x 8’3”) will only be used in exceptional circumstances, which must be justified by the applicant. When it is parked, your vehicle must not overhang the public footpath.
7. The hardstand should not take up more than 75% of the total area of your garden. Note: some small gardens may not qualify for a hardstanding.
8. The specification should allow for appropriate drainage of surface water.
9. Gates, fencing and hedging should meet the criteria set out in the council’s “Open Fronts – A guide to Harlow Council’s Policy” leaflet.
10. Conserving any tree(s) on front gardens will be given primary consideration and the council’s Arboricultural Officer will be consulted where a tree or trees are present, Tree Preservation Orders, Covenant Controls and proposed construction details will be checked with the appropriate technical officers.
11. It is an offence under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 to make alterations to the pavement without a dropped kerb and to undertake construction, without the prior agreement of the council. The council reserves the right to enforce reinstatement.
12. The council will monitor and enforce the policy.

Sightlines

Pedestrian, vehicle, driver visibility.

Contracting the work

Once permission has been granted by Covenant Control to change the use of the front garden further permission is required from Essex County Council to install a dropped crossing.

Essex County Council can provide quotes for a dropped crossing. Only an Essex County Council approved contractor may carry out the construction of the dropped crossing.

Appeals

If your application is unsuccessful, you can appeal against the decision. You should put your appeal in writing and send it to Building Control. A Director, or an appropriate member of staff, will then check that the council has followed the correct procedure in rejecting your application. If it has, your appeal will be refused. If it is decided that the council did not follow the right procedures your application will be looked at again. If it is decided that a relaxation of policy is needed in your area, this will go before councillors for approval.

If you are unhappy about the way your application has been dealt with, you can complain through the council’s normal complaints procedure.