A planned village
Dormanstown's first houses were designed by Stanley Adshead, Stanley Ramsey and Patrick Abercrombie, and several streets are named after them. The early steel-framed houses were replaced in later decades, but the layout of greens, verges and front gardens remains. That layout gives most homes enough depth for a car.
Turning the lawn into a drive
- Measure the depth and width available.
- Apply to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for a crossing. The property owner must apply.
- Choose a surface. Tarmac and block paving are popular. Gravel with grids is a lower-cost option.
- Keep some green. A hedge or bed alongside keeps the character and helps drainage.
Verges and crossings
Many Dormanstown streets have a grass verge between the pavement and the road. A crossing has to carry vehicles across the verge as well as the footway, so it involves more construction and can cost more. Trees and lamp posts in verges can also limit where a crossing goes. The council decides each case.
Tenants and housing associations
A good number of homes are rented. If you rent, your landlord must agree and, as owner, make the dropped kerb application.
Common questions
Do Dormanstown homes have room for a drive?
Many do, thanks to the garden-village layout. Measure to be sure.
Will a verge crossing cost more?
Usually, because more needs building. The council prices each site.
What surface suits Dormanstown?
Tarmac with a block edge or block paving in red or brindle tones suits the brick houses.
Can I park on the verge?
Not without a crossing. Driving over a verge damages it and the footway.