5: Car Parking Space Size Guide on Private Developments

5.1 The standard parking space has remained at a consistent size for several decades. However, national research has shown that on average, cars have got larger over time, both in width and in length. In 1965 the top five models sold in the UK had an average width of 1.5 m and average length of 3.9 m, compared to an average width of 1.8 m and length of 4.3 m for the top five sellers of 2020. The minimum dimensions recommended in this SPD reflect this trend, whilst ensuring space provided in a development for parking is used efficiently.

Table 2 Car parking space size guide for private developments

5.2. Parking spaces also need to take account of the minimum space requirements set out for electric vehicle charge points in Building Regulations Part S, which vary depending on whether they are free standing, or wall mounted.

5.3. An additional minimum of 0.5m will need to be added to the above spaces where either dimension is adjacent to wall or other obstruction. More may be needed where areas of parking are also used for safe and convenient access to the rear of the property, where cycle storage for example may be located. Where driveways are to be used for parking in front of a garage, the overall length of the space will need to be a minimum of 6.0m to allow access to the garage.

5.4. It is widely accepted that single on-plot garages are often unavailable for cars because they are being used for storage. Given the extent of this practice, whether garages will be counted towards parking provision will be determined on a case by case basis as per Manual for Streets Guidance. Where garages are accepted, and also relied upon for cycle parking, then the overall all size will need to be increased from Table 2 above to reflect this.

5.5. Tandem parking (one vehicle behind another) will be acceptable for individual properties and not those with parking which is intended for use of more than one dwelling. However, driveways longer than 6m will be counted as a single parking space unless the developer can adequately demonstrate that the driveway can reasonably accommodate more than one vehicle and allow access to garages where provided. To accommodate side-by-side parking on a driveway, additional width will be required where it is also used for pedestrian access to the rear of a property.

5.6. The wider site layout of a development will also need to consider the circulation and manoeuvring space required to access all the types of spaces described.

5.7. Different layouts such as parallel and herringbone will have different overall space requirements and detailed layout of parking spaces using these approaches will be considered on a site-specific basis.