Nearly 1,400 Hampshire residents applied for dropped kerbs in a single year—paying hundreds just to get permission.

Figures released under a Freedom of Information request show that Hampshire County Council received 1,378 vehicle access enquiries in 2025, generating £271,093 in fees—around £200 per application.

But behind the numbers is a system where residents must pay upfront just to be assessed.

According to the council’s own guidance, a standard application costs £211.90, with an extra optional £97 for a fast-track decision—taking the total to £308.90. And there’s no guarantee of success.

Every application requires a site inspection, and if it fails to meet strict criteria, it can be refused—with no refund.

Even successful applicants face further costs, as homeowners must then hire private contractors and secure additional licences before any work can begin.

The figures mean Hampshire residents are collectively spending hundreds of thousands of pounds not on construction—but just to navigate the approval process.

In Southampton, residents have already been warned they could face fines of up to £1,000 for parking on their own driveways without an official dropped kerb.

Some said they were willing to pay for access—but had their applications refused. Others complained rules had suddenly been enforced after decades of inaction.

If you have applied for a dropped kerb in Hampshire and had your application refused—or have had difficulties with the process—the BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service would like to hear from you.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

You can get in touch by emailing [email protected]