- Plan ItBack
- Design ItBack
- Build ItBack
- Homes
- Products
- CostsBack
- Self Build Cost Calculator
Estimate your project costs instantly with Build It's interactive self-build cost calculator
Calculate Now - Costs & Finance
- Contracts & Warranties
- Build It Estimating Service
Get an accurate, detailed cost breakdown of your project
Submit plans
- EventsBack
Q&As
Site access and parked cars
Are there any laws or rules to ensure that site access remains clear? Our site fronts right onto the road – there is no pavement or verge.
We currently have harris fencing along the boundary and open the site as and when needed, but when the house is finished we will have off-road parking outside the front of the house.
Recently neighbours have been parking along the fence, blocking our access despite us putting up signs (which have been completely ignored), putting cones out (which are moved)and asking people not to park there. It has been difficult to organise skips, service connections and floor screed etc when we’re not sure if we’ll be able to provide access to the site. We don’t always know who the vehicles belong to ask them to move and one neighbour has insisted that they will continue parking there.
So I was just wondering what powers we have, if any, to ensure that the access remains free?
Answers
My understanding of public highways is that ordinarily homeowners do not have a right to control the parking of vehicles outside of their properties. Parking controls are made by the department of transport and/or the Council using single and double yellow lines. The use of single white lines does not constitute a formal prohibition but instead is a polite suggestion that (usually) a driveway or cross-over should not be blocked. So, when people undertake construction work they will need to obtain a licence from the Council if they wish to secure a space on the highway for parking, off-loading or a skip. This attracts a fee and has a specific timeline. Once obtained you will be free to manage the space with bollards but, even then, you may find that certain local folks still abuse your temporary privileges.
Tim Doherty (Build It Expert)
