Advice on buying a brand new home > Snagging and defects

Parking bays- size and regulations

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daran:
Hi guys

Hope someone in here is able help and provide some advice/guidance.

Have bought a 3 bed, and all houses come with 2 parking bays. In my case the bay is behind my garden, and would have to park two cars one in front of the other. when buying buying the property we knew that was going to be the case.

However the first car (furthest in) is surrounded by garden fence from the neighbour behind us as well as the neighbor next to us on the right. Thus when parking the car it is very narrow and once parked difficult to exit the car (not fat!)

The second car would only be surrounded by the fence from our garden to the right of it, but the car would be right against the door leading out of the garden.

The problem is mainly parking the first car- the space is just wide enough to fit the car and have about 10cm either side of it. when parking the passenger side would be as close as possible to the fence in order to make it easier to exit/enter car, but even than its very difficult. every time there is a risk of damage to either car or surrounding fence!

Been trying to understand building regulations - specifically part M

Any advice is appreciated

New Home Expert:
The standard for car parking spaces is they should be 2.4m wide and 4.8m deep.
How much room depends on the size of your car and extra obstructions such as fence posts and rails etc.

No front gardens, no 6m driveways (that used to be a planning standard in the late 80's) and parking in "garden areas"  enable housebuilders to cram more homes per acre, increasing both their profits and the misery of the people that buy the homes they build.

daran:
Thank you for your reply New Home Expert.

I have certainly come across those figures for parking space - They should be able to fit standard cars, however in my research that space should take into account the context it's in. As access to the vehicle should be possible- so my understanding is entry/exit and loading of vehicle.

The two cars in the house are a Mercedes C220 and BMW 320d- both of which I would say are standard size saloons. Both these cars will fit in the 2.4m x 4.8m space- but would only be able to drive in and out not be able to get out of cars!

I am trying to find out what rights I have when you have been given a parking space that is unusable. I appreciate having just a pole or garden post in the way is ok, but having a fully fenced wall on 3 sides of the space makes no sense!

New Home Expert:
Your situation is similar to this one:
Garage too small for a car!

A 2.4m wide parking space, does make an allowance for use of the gap with a neighbouring space to get in and out. You have a fence with no gap.

Not sure what solution might be other than compensation as not being fit for purpose.
You could try using the Consumer Code for Home Builders but maximum claim is £15,000.

daran:
Thank you again for reply- I did speak to NHBC they said they had no standard sizes or regulation for parking sizes- I was surprised as new rule state properties need to come with car parking.

They also referred me to Consumer Code- but my main question is : DO WE HAVE A CASE?

I have attached pictures of our situation: main problems is access to garden when second car parked and first car parking and entering/exiting it!   

I have done some reading about local planning regulation- and the point that sticks out to me is Appendix 3(g).

http://www2.luton.gov.uk/localplan/written/cpt11.htm

Our development area used to be a industrial estate. Luton does state the figures of 2.4 x 4.9m but doesnt mention anything about surrounding fences.

Like I said I just would like some reassurance/opinion to see if I have a case and that I am not being unreasonable. I have just paid a large sum of money for a property with two car parking spot, and all I have is if anything one usable car parking spot that blocks out garden access.

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