Built for a different era
Billingham's population grew fast after the war as the chemical industry expanded, and the town council's own history notes that ICI employed around 20,000 people by the 1960s. Homes from this period were planned around buses and walking, not two-car households. That is why so many front gardens here are now being turned into parking.
Step one: measure
Measure from the front wall of the house (or the bay) to the back of the footway. As a rule of thumb, you want 5 metres or more so a car does not overhang the pavement. Then check the width you have between boundaries and any obstacles such as lamp columns.
Step two: the crossing
Apply to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council as the owner. The council quotes and builds the crossing, or you use a contractor with its Opening Up licence. Do this before booking the drive. See dropped kerbs.
Step three: the drive
| Choice | Notes |
|---|---|
| Block paving | Most popular; red blends suit post-war brick |
| Resin | Smooth and permeable; needs a porous base |
| Gravel | Cheapest; use a grid and a solid edge at the footway |
Front walls and hedges
Many Roseberry homes have low front walls or hedges. Keeping a section either side of the opening looks tidier, gives the drive a defined edge and leaves somewhere for planting and drainage.
Terraces
On terraced rows, frontages are narrower. One car parked straight in is usually the limit, and the door of the car needs room to open. A slim planted strip beside the drive helps with drainage.
Common questions
What if my garden is too short?
If a car would overhang the footway, a crossing is unlikely. A better back garden or patio may be the smarter spend.
Do I need planning permission?
Not usually, if the surface is permeable or drains into the garden.
How much is a first drive?
About £60 to £100 per m² on 2026 UK averages, plus around £1,800 for the crossing.
Can I keep part of my lawn?
Yes, and it helps with drainage and appearance.