If there's no dropped kerb to get a vehicle on to the concrete area, then surely it can't be called a parking space? Maybe the concrete was put down without permission in the first place, or surely whoever did it would have had the kerb dropped at the same time.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
You need planning permission - or should do - to replace plants with concrete. You can affect your neighbours by increasing surface water run off, reduce the 'urban greening factor' (now a fixed requirement in some places), and create a need for cars to drive across a pedestrian pavement - all of which are potentially problematic locally for other people living there. That is basically what the planning system is intended to address (yes, I'm aware it's lost its way somewhat).
By taking out concrete and adding plants, you are not going to have any detrimental effect on anyone, including the freeholder unless they gain some revenue from the parking space. It's also easy to rip out plants and add concrete, so planting is not a permanent change.
By all means ask the housing dept of the council if they own the freehold and if you're of a nervous disposition. I think asking the planners will get exactly the response @BenCotto describes. Every council I've dealt with will charge for that sort of advice and give you an answer with so many caveats and hedge arounds that you'll wonder what your money was for
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
In our area it's all based on complaints. If no neighbours complain about changes then anything goes. The council never bother to follow anything up off their own bat. They couldn't give a toss. But that will be a question of your local council's demeanour. Here you could build a ten foot brick tower in the garden or start an elephant park without a problem, if the neighbours were ok with it. Put planning permission in for a six foot shed and the dept will start tutting.
In our area it's all based on complaints. If no neighbours complain about changes then anything goes.
Legally, that is the correct position, not just in your area. Councils can only enforce a breach if there is a bona fide complaint. Hence my comment about doing it without permission. If you are not causing anyone else any harm and if you are able to reinstate what you do without unsustainable costs to yourself should you have unwittingly caused an injury you didn't foresee, there's no strong argument for paying lots of money in planning fees
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Thanks for your feedback. On the way to the rareplantsfair.co.uk near Cirencester we talked about this and decided to leave it as it is. The area were I live, it wouldn’t reflect the expenses in the property if it looks nice. Too much money for something that I have to clear twice a year.
Posts
By taking out concrete and adding plants, you are not going to have any detrimental effect on anyone, including the freeholder unless they gain some revenue from the parking space. It's also easy to rip out plants and add concrete, so planting is not a permanent change.
By all means ask the housing dept of the council if they own the freehold and if you're of a nervous disposition. I think asking the planners will get exactly the response @BenCotto describes. Every council I've dealt with will charge for that sort of advice and give you an answer with so many caveats and hedge arounds that you'll wonder what your money was for
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hence my comment about doing it without permission. If you are not causing anyone else any harm and if you are able to reinstate what you do without unsustainable costs to yourself should you have unwittingly caused an injury you didn't foresee, there's no strong argument for paying lots of money in planning fees
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I ♥ my garden.