Hampshire residents out of pocket as hundreds apply for dropped kerbs
Residents out of pocket just to find out if they are able to have a dropped kerb
Nearly 1,400 Hampshire residents applied for dropped kerbs in a single year—paying hundreds of pounds 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. This excludes those living in Portsmouth and Southampton where residents apply to their respective city councils.
But behind the numbers is a system where residents must pay upfront just to be assessed.
According to the county 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.
In Portsmouth the administration fee for processing the form is £66 including VAT.
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.
If you have applied for a dropped kerb in Hampshire and had your application refused—or have had difficulties with the process—we would like to hear from you.