Minimum access width for neighbours

[rebajayne68]

My neighbours have access to their back garden through my drive and garden. I am wanting to extend the side of my kitchen but dont know what the miminum width of access by the UK building laws is. Thanks in advance.

[bookbinder]

Try your local planning department.

[jackthehat]

I think the matter may be more complicated than simply preserving an 'access route' although a passageway of about 900-1000mm would be sufficient in terms of width.

You may need to consult your deeds to establish the actual 'facts of access'.

[boxtops]

It will surely depend on where your boundary is, and whether the access is for pedestrians only?

[The Builder]

You really need to look at the wording of the covenant/easement on your deeds/registration docs.
I had one years ago where the neighbour had access "with, or without a handcart".
Make sure they don't have vehicular access also.

[buildersmate]

Precisely as those above are saying.
It is nothing whatsever to do with planning or building regulations - it is as specified (or not!) in the convenant on your property title.
It might just say 'access', more helpfully it could say 'access on foot' or even 'access by vehicle'. If it's been done well, it could say 'access at least 10 feet wide'.
Once you've found out what it says, post again with the answer. If it only allows for access on foot and your neighbour is driving a vehicle through, legally you are in the right, but that isn't going to make the conversation any easier. You have to continue with him as a neighbour afterwards.

[boxtops]

Best to make sure of the size of the handcart 1st though, re vehicular access, builder. Some people might extract the ***s with theload height...

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