Class B – means of access to a highway

You may construct a driveway or access to a property on a highway that is not a trunk road or a classified road. If the road is not a highway then you are not restricted either. For a definition of a highway see this page.

If the property is on a classified road or a trunk road then you will need permission from the local authority for your access.  Likewise you will need permission from the local authority to cross a footpath at the side of the highway when linking the access.

The Classified Road Network is made up of the following categorisation of roads:

• Motorways (M) (Maintained by the Highways England)
• Trunk Roads (Maintained by the Highways England)
• Principal (A) Roads (Maintained by the Highways Authority – could be the same as the Local Authority or could be county based)
• Classified (B) Roads – Numbered (Maintained by the Highways Authority – could be the same as the Local Authority or could be county based)
• Classified Roads –  C or unnumbered (Maintained by the Highways Authority – could be the same as the Local Authority or could be county based)
• Unclassified Roads

Class B, access to a highway could be withdrawn via a restriction on the building usually through a previous planning application or via restrictions in a conservation area etc.

Legislation

Class B – means of access to a highway

Permitted development

B. The formation, laying out and construction of a means of access to a highway which is not a trunk road or a classified road, where that access is required in connection with development permitted by any Class in this Schedule (other than by Class A of this Part).

Updated: 4th February 2022