IT is a novel way to avoid reversing out of your driveway into oncoming traffic.
Now developers building new homes next to busy roads are installing "car turntables" costing up to £15,000 to meet planning regulations.
The devices allow a car to be driven front-first on to a drive, spun through 180 degrees, and driven front-first back on to the road.
Several local authorities will now refuse planning permission unless the owner can drive front-first into a busy street. And if your drive is narrow, a car turntable is likely to be the only way of meeting that demand.
Tony Collins, 44, who lives in Aberlady, East Lothian, had a turntable installed to comply with planning guidelines.
He said: "The plot that we had was quite small in size. The road we were on was an A-class road and so we would only be granted planning permission if we were able to demonstrate being able to drive forwards both in and out of the property.
"We didn't have the space to build a huge driveway, but we suddenly had a lightbulb moment and realised that a turntable would work. It was the only solution."
A spokesman for East Lothian Council confirmed: "Turntables have been approved as a solution to the problem of turning in a driveway on busy roads."
Falkirk Council said that on busy roads, residents are required to drive front-first out of a drive. Edinburgh and Fife, meanwhile, both said they would support turntables if they allowed drivers to turn around safely before leaving their driveways.
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