No matter how long it is, the approach to your home is about more than having somewhere to park
WORDS JENNIFER GRIMBLE
Landscaping a self-build or renovation project is just as important as the building design. ‘The journey from driveway to front door to entrance hall is an important part of your story and the first impressions of the house,’ says Charlie Luxton of Charlie Luxton Design (charlieluxtondesign.com). Of course, the scope of a driveway is influenced by the size and layout of the plot, and drainage, groundworks, road access and the surface material must all be considered, along with the architecture of the house.
Dimensions and shape
Establish during the planning stage where the driveway will lead to – a garage, the side of the house, or directly to the front door? If the latter, ensure that cars can park to one side so there’s an unobstructed path to the entrance.
‘The minimum dimensions for a parking space should be 2.4m wide by 4.8m long, but this doesn’t account for access or manoeuvrability,’ says Debbie Roberts of Acres Wild (acreswild.co.uk). ‘Better still is 3m by 5m per car with a minimum of 6m space behind for reversing and turning. The aim is to enter and leave in forwards gear, if room allows, especially to avoid reversing onto a busy road.’ A car turntable is an option for a single vehicle in a tight spot.
If you have the room, a semicircular drive with a separate entrance and exit is a practical and attractive option, and curved designs look more informal than straight. Teaming hard landscaping with planting and greenery helps with drainage.
Complying with the rules
