Driveways in Eastleigh
Railway town with a Victorian grid of streets at its centre. Hampshire County Council handles dropped kerbs.
Driveways in EastleighAreas we cover
Driveways across Southampton and south Hampshire
We price driveways, patios and dropped kerbs in Southampton and six towns around it. The work is the same everywhere; the council, the planning rules and the ground are not, so each town has its own page.
- Southampton, inside the city boundary
- Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford and Hedge End
- Fareham, Romsey and Totton
Town by town
Pick your area
Each page sets out the council, the planning points and the local detail that change the job there.
Driveways in Chandler's Ford
Mostly built from the 1920s onward, from Hiltingbury to Valley Park. A mix of drive ages and sizes.
Driveways in Chandler's FordDriveways in Hedge End
Grew from around 1,000 people in the 1950s as the M27 arrived. Many newer estates and estate roads.
Driveways in Hedge EndDriveways in Fareham
Thirteen conservation areas, and an Article 4 Direction in Titchfield that covers hard surfacing.
Driveways in FarehamDriveways in Romsey
A large town centre conservation area, protected trees and a history of flooding from the River Test.
Driveways in RomseyDriveways in Totton
Risk from river, surface and ground water, and your own drains under the drive are your responsibility.
Driveways in TottonCity or county
Two highway councils, two processes
Inside the city boundary, Southampton City Council handles dropped kerbs. Everywhere else on this page, it is Hampshire County Council. The fee, the timescale and the contractor licence differ.
Southampton City Council
£165 application fee, a site visit by a Highways Inspector and a decision in about four weeks. The contractor needs New Roads and Street Works Act accreditation and £10m public liability insurance.
Source: Southampton City Council: dropped kerbsHampshire County Council
£211.90 as listed when we checked, with an eight week standard decision or a two week Fast Track for £97 more. The contractor needs a Section 171 licence. Classified roads also need planning permission.
Source: Hampshire County Council: apply for a vehicular accessFull detail on the dropped kerbs page.
Planning
The rule that applies everywhere
The permitted development rule for front drives is national. A new or replacement drive of any size needs no planning permission if it is permeable, or if rain runs to a lawn or border. A sealed surface over 5 m² that drains to the road needs permission. Local Article 4 Directions and conservation areas can tighten this, which is why Fareham and Romsey have extra notes on their pages.
Source: Planning Portal: paving your front gardenFAQs
Questions about areas
Which areas do you cover?
Southampton, Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End, Fareham, Romsey and Totton. If you are just outside these, send your postcode and we will tell you.
Why does the council matter for a driveway?
Because dropped kerbs are approved by the highway council. Southampton City Council covers addresses inside the city; Hampshire County Council covers the towns around it, with a different fee and timescale.
Are the planning rules different in each town?
The national rule for front drives is the same everywhere. Article 4 Directions and conservation areas, such as in parts of Fareham and Romsey, can add restrictions.
Do prices change between towns?
The typical published prices are national ranges. Your own price depends on the site: size, dig-out, drainage and access, rather than the town.
How do I know which council looks after my road?
If your address is inside the Southampton city boundary, it is Southampton City Council. Otherwise in this area it is Hampshire County Council. We can check from your postcode.
Not sure if we cover you?
Send the quick form with your postcode. If the job is one we can price, we reply with the next step.