DCLG to publish new guidance on renting driveways and planning permission

The Government is to publish guidance on change of use clarifying that members of the public can rent a single parking place without planning permission.

However, this will be subject to there being no public nuisance to neighbours, "or other substantive concerns" as a result of the parking.

The Department for Communities and Local Government said: "A distinction is made 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 changing your garden into a car park or a clear commercial use like a car show room or minicab rank (which would clearly require planning permission)."

It added that the guidance would make it clear that whether an application for change of use was needed would have to be considered on the basis of the individual circumstances.

The move comes amid Government claims that some councils are demanding residents apply for planning permission and threatening fines of up to £20,000 if they fail to do so.

Communities Secretary Eric 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. Parking charges and fines are not a cash cow for town halls.

"This government is standing up against the town hall parking bullies and over-zealous parking enforcement."