Birmingham’s streets are facing an alarming trend of illegal dropped kerbs and the unlawful felling of trees by residents seeking unapproved driveways.
City officials have voiced strong opposition to these unauthorised actions, emphasising that both the destruction of trees and installation of dropped kerbs without permits not only undermines city planning but also contribute to environmental harm and increased road congestion.
We look at how many incidents have been recorded, why planning permission is needed for dropped kerbs and what officials plan to do to resolve the matter.
Over 1,400 cases in Birmingham alone
Over 1,400 reports have come in regarding illegal dropped kerbs throughout Birmingham, with a notable uptick in cases where residents have resorted to chopping down trees to create room for new driveways.
These figures come from Birmingham City Council, with the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Majid Mahmood, identifying the illegal dropped kerbs are “often poorly constructed and/or in unsuitable locations” creating additional hazards, such as road ponding and illegal double parking.
Councillor Mahmood stressed that these actions disrupt the natural landscape and place unnecessary strain on local infrastructure.
What are the planning rules around dropped kerbs?
If you're creating new off-street parking (such as a driveway) for your property, installing a dropped kerb is a legal requirement.
Dropped kerbs, which lower the edge of the pavement for vehicles, protect pedestrians and utilities beneath the pavement.
If your property is on a classified road (like an A, B, or C road), in a conservation area, or if your building is listed, you’ll need planning permission.
Installing a dropped kerb typically costs £1,500 to £3,000, plus application fees around £300, however, if additional work is needed, such as removing trees, costs can rise significantly.
Request sent to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner to take a 'tough stance'
To address the rising cases of illegal felling and unapproved dropped kerbs, Councillor Mahmood has called on West Midlands Police for support in enforcing existing laws, which make it a criminal offense to damage trees without proper authorisation.
He has written to West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster to take a "tough stance" on the matter, requesting a coordinated approach to curb the spread of these illegal developments.
“If we do not act, more residents will feel emboldened to take these actions,” Mahmood warned, calling for a meeting to discuss possible joint actions to protect the city’s trees and roadways.
These illegal kerbs and the associated removal of trees fall under the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which could lead to significant penalties.
We have contacted Birmingham City's Planning Department to see if any action had been taken to counteract this rise in unapproved dropped kerbs but have not yet received comment.
