Our client had submitted a planning application to Trafford Council for a dropped kerb at their property. The aim was simple, to create legal, safer access to an existing front driveway that had already been in use for over a decade.
However, Trafford Council refused the application.
Their reasoning was centred around highway safety. They argued that the dropped kerb’s proximity to a nearby junction and a pedestrian refuge could increase risks for road users.
Understandably frustrated, the applicant booked a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our specialist Planning Appeal Assessment Officers. During this initial review, we confirmed that an appeal was viable. We then produced a detailed written proposal so the client could make an informed decision before proceeding.
Once instructed, HEAL Planning prepared a full appeal case, addressing the refusal head-on. We focused on the factual history of the site, evidence of long-standing use, and the real-world visibility and traffic conditions at the location.
The Planning Inspectorate, the national body responsible for handling all planning appeals in England, conducted a site visit on the 18th of March. Less than a month later, on the 9th of April, they issued their decision, allowing the appeal and granting full planning permission for the dropped kerb.
In their decision, the Inspector noted that while the kerb was close to a junction, vehicles using the junction did so with care and at slow speeds. Visibility was deemed good. The existing parking space had been used for many years, and photographs and documents showed it existed as far back as 2012.
Rather than presenting a new hazard, the Inspector agreed that constructing a dropped kerb would actually improve access by avoiding the need for vehicles to mount the raised pavement. Referring to paragraph 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework, the Inspector was clear: development should only be refused on highways grounds where there is an unacceptable impact on safety, something not supported by the facts in this case.
Ultimately, the appeal was allowed, and permission was granted, with the Inspector confirming that the proposal did not present any highway safety concerns warranting refusal.
For the client, this decision not only provided peace of mind and practical access but also reaffirmed that challenging a refusal with the right evidence can make all the difference.
At HEAL Planning, we specialise in doing exactly that, taking the time to understand why an application was refused, and building an appeal that responds directly to the issues raised, all in line with national and local planning policy.
If you’ve had a planning application refused, whether it’s for a dropped kerb, an extension, or any other form of development, speak to us. We offer a free, no-obligation appeal assessment to help you understand your options before you commit.
Trafford Council Refusal Overturned – Dropped Kerb Appeal Approved
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