Belfast·SPG004 Residential Extensions and Alterations·Page 49·4.3.46
Garden areas and hard surfacing for parking
Using an entire garden for parking is not acceptable, and removal of front boundary treatments for parking is unlikely to be acceptable. However, permitted development rights allow hard surfacing within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse, subject to conditions on ground cover extent, permeable materials, and drainage provisions.
Similarly the use of an entire garden area to provide car parking or a turning area will not be acceptable. While proposals to remove front boundary treatments and surface curtilage for parking are unlikely to be acceptable, permitted development rights allow for the provision or the replacement of hard surfacing within the curtilage of a dwellinghouse. Where permitted development rights apply14, they are subject to specific conditions being met, including the extent of ground cover proposed, the use of permeable/porous materials or provision for direct run-off to permeable areas within the existing curtilage15.
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