Do I want planning permission for driveway bollards, how a lot do they price to put in and might they add worth to my residence?

I have a driveway with a partial wall and we have a garage, but the cars won’t fit. I’m thinking about putting bollards up so I can secure my two vehicles at night.

Firstly, do I need permission for them?

What type of bollards are there? Can you get automatic and manual ones? I’m a complete novice, so not sure where to start. 

And lastly, could this additional security feature help lower my car insurance costs, and add value to my home?

Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: Driveway security posts and bollards have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Many cars have become exorbitantly expensive and increasingly appealing to criminals. 

Most car theft focused on high value vehicles is being driven by organised criminal gangs. 

Despite a 6 per cent fall in motor thefts in 2024, the 61,343 cars reported stolen to the DVLA last year was the third-highest annual tally in a decade and more than double the volume seen in 2015.

This contributed to insurers paying out a record £11.7billion in motor claims last year, which in turn has kept premiums high as every motorist across the country is feeling the brunt of Britain’s theft epidemic.      

Statistics vary, but according to research published by One Sure Insurance last summer, across Britain the majority of cars are stolen from driveways. 

The findings suggested that 43 per cent of vehicle thefts occur on driveways, against 19 per cent from the street outside people’s homes. 

Getting bollards installed is a good idea, particularly if thefts in your area are on the rise and your cars are high-value. 

There are many different bollards on the market and you can choose from manual or automatic ones. 

The cost of getting bollards installed will vary depending on the type of bollards you want and how much labour costs are where you live. 

As a guide, the average labour costs for installing a single standard bollard will start at around £100, according to Checkatrade. If you are having multiple bollards installed, you may be able to negotiate a per bollard discount.

Richard Remde, managing director of Bollard Security in Silsden, says: Driveway bollards can be the perfect solution for keeping your vehicles safe at night or while you’re away. 

Firstly, planning permission is not needed within your property boundary if you own the land.

Regarding the types of bollards available, there are different options and price ranges to choose from. 

Leaving aside the smaller parking posts which are mainly used for nuisance parking and not vehicle security, there are both manual and automatic options.

Manual bollards are typically telescopic or removable, requiring physical effort to raise and lower them. 

Telescopic bollards retract fully into the ground, while removable ones can be completely detached and rested elsewhere. 

But the best telescopic bollards come with lift-assist technology for ease of use, making them light enough you can raise them with a single finger and very little effort.

Automatic bollards are either battery powered or wired into the mains, and normally controlled with a remote or keypad to operate them from distance, offering convenience but at a higher cost.

Certain bollards are insurer recommended products, which can help reduce car insurance premiums. 

As for adding value to your property, this is unclear, but they are a huge selling point to potential buyers, particularly in areas with high crime rates. 

The reality is that would-be car thieves targeting an area would see the bollards in place and simply move along looking for their next target, making them an ideal proactive deterrent on top of the security they guarantee.

If cost becomes an issue, for example needing multiple bollards for large open driveways, a common solution is to measure the length of the car from your garage or wall, and simply install one single bollard close enough behind it so that the car cannot be manoeuvred out.

Unfortunately, many people often leave it too late to install bollards after already becoming victims of car theft. 

So, our advice is if you are thinking about it, or you live in one of the many crime hot-spot areas, it is best not to delay and invest today for security and peace of mind.

Jeremy Fine, a partner at Godfrey and Barr Estate Agents, says: In my opinion security bollards and removal posts are one of the greatest new car security devices out there in years.

Thieves are often looking for quick and easy targets so a physical obstacle significantly increases the time and effort required for theft and in most cases they just wont bother.

The beauty of these is that if is on your own private driveway and freehold you do not permission and they are very easy to install.

If you live in a flat or leasehold then it may be different, but generally it is just driving a hole to install .

There are lots of options from budget locked in removal posts that you simply put in lock and then remove when you are ready to drive away and the newer top of the range sleek stainless steel Bluetooth or remote controlled bollards that automatically sense when you drive towards them and go into the floor, which are amazing. 

In most cases, to be effective you really need two to make sure there is no way of squeezing a car through !

I am not aware that gates or bollards reduce insurance premiums, but of course they should. However, there is no doubt that for people with certain cars, special cars supercars or even their 1990 pride and joy Ford Escort they can and will most certainly sleep better at night knowing nobody can get that car out the drive unless they have a bulldozer!

Yair Daren, managing director of Security Risks Specialists Ltd., says: In most cases, if you are installing a bollard on your own private driveway, you do not need planning permission. 

However, if your driveway has shared access, is near a public footpath, or if you live in a conservation area, you may need to check with your local council. 

If you are renting, you should also get permission from your landlord.

There are manual and automatic bollards available, offering various levels of security and convenience. 

For a residential driveway, a telescopic or fold-down bollard is a practical choice, balancing security and affordability.

Installing a security bollard can reduce your car insurance premium, as it acts as an anti-theft deterrent. 

Insurers consider security measures such as bollards, CCTV, immobilizers and alarms when calculating risk. 

You should check with your insurance provider to see if a bollard qualifies for a discount.

A bollard might not significantly increase your home’s value, but it can make your property more attractive to buyers, particularly in areas with high vehicle crime. 

A secure driveway is an appealing feature for potential homeowners who prioritize vehicle safety. 

A bollard can be a great investment for securing your vehicles. Manual options are cheaper but require physical effort, while automatic ones offer more convenience at a higher cost. It’s worth checking with your local council and insurance provider for any permissions or discounts.