The Government has promised clarification over the question of whether planning permission is required where householders rent out their driveway or spare or unused dedicated off-street parking space.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles insisted that new planning guidance on change of use will make it clear that the public should be able to rent a single parking space without planning permission, provided there is no public nuisance to neighbours, or other substantive concerns.
The advice will draw a distinction between renting out a car parking space to park a single car (which should not normally require planning permission, where there is no change to the intensity of use), as opposed to turning a private garden, car show-room or minicab rank into a commercial car park.
Ministers believe the clarification is needed because some councils are unhappy with this practice and are requiring households to apply for planning permission for ‘change of use’. Such a planning application fee costs £385: councils are also threatening fines of up to £20,000 if householders do not apply.
Mr Pickles said: ‘Councils should be welcoming common sense ways that help hard-working people park easier and cheaply and for families to make some spare cash. Councils shouldn’t be interfering in an honest activity that causes no harm to others, unless there are serious concerns.’
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