A COUPLE are £7,000 out of pocket after having work done for a dropped kerb only to discover they did not have permission for it.

Suzanne O'Shea and Nigel Farren applied for a dropped kerb outside their drive in Eltham.

On January 18 Greenwich Council agreed to build the £580 ramp on the condition the couple built a hard standing in their front garden.

The couple spent £7,000 in building a new driveway, which included a brick wall, fencing, gates and a footpath.

But on February 17 they were informed their application for the ramp had been refused saying the previous agreement was an "administrative error" on the council's part.

Engineering assistant Steven Johnston also said in the letter the dropped kerb would go against the council's "current policy which is to maintain as much kerbside parking space as possible".

However, the council said one option was to redesign and landscape the garden to share an existing driveway with the next door neighbour.

But the couple say the work, which includes moving a stop cock water mains, could cost up to £9,000.

Miss O'Shea, 39, of Berryhill, said: "We don't want the garden redesigned. We like it how it is.

"We feel the council is treating us very unfairly. The reason given about problem parking does not make any sense.

"We are not backing down and we will consider taking the council to the Local Government Ombudsmen."

The driveway was supposed to be the finishing touch to their home improvements after moving to the area six months ago.

Mr Farren, 47, added: "We wanted a driveway for increased security.

"I'm totally disappointed and frustrated with the council's incompetence.

"I just wish it would let common sense prevail.

"If we had known it would have been a problem we wouldn't have continued with the work.

"We hope the council reconsiders and put a dropped kerb in.

"At the moment we have a driveway we cannot use."

Eltham north councillor Dermot Poston said: "This is a typical piece of local government bungling.

"It won't cost the council anything to put the dropped kerb in. It's a suitable position to have one."

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "An application was received for a drop down kerb for the property at 62 Berryhill in Eltham.

"However, on a later inspection it was clear the property already had access to a driveway, which is shared with the neighbouring property.

"The council therefore took the view an additional driveway was not necessary and would produce a significant reduction in on-street parking for other residents and visitors.

"The council has no plans to redesign the garden at the property to accommodate an alternative route for parking to the property.

"We regret any concern caused and are happy to further explain the reasons behind this decision with the resident.

"However, we also realise the resident may wish to exercise their right to take their concerns to the Local Government Ombudsman."