Recently started getting a grinding noise coming from the front of the car when braking for the first few times I apply the brakes. Is this a sign the discs are needing changed or could it just be because I dont actually use my car an awful lot?

Probably because your not using it much. Mine does it if I've washed the car and then put it away for a few days without drying the brakes off first by taking it for a quick spin.

Thats when I first noticed it after washing it and not drying the brakes off properly. But now its actually happening even when I havent washed it :/ im wanting to change my rear brake drums anyway cus im getting new alloys and the hubs are a lovely rust colour haha might just go ahead and renew the lot of my brakes in the on go

My car did that for a while too, maybe for a few months? Only on light pressure just before the car halted it'd have a really loud groan. It was like a bus/lorry pulling up it was that loud!

Glad to say that its gone now though so it might not be major :) especially if stopping performance is the same.

These are brakes we're talking about though hahaha...so if in doubt, I wouldnt blame you taking off the wheels to check pads etc!

Like I said im replacing the rusty rear hubs anyway so think im just change the front pads at the sane time :)