The surface water principle
The rules exist to stop front gardens turning into hard surfaces that dump rainwater straight onto the public highway, which overloads drains and worsens flooding.
In practice that means a new hard surface in a front garden generally needs to either be permeable, or drain to a permeable area or soakaway within your own property. Do that and it usually falls within permitted development.
- Permeable surface such as resin bound on a permeable build-up
- Permeable block paving with wider jointing and an open-graded sub-base
- Impermeable surface draining to a soakaway or border within your boundary
When permission is more likely to be needed
Listed buildings and conservation areas have additional controls, and flats and maisonettes do not benefit from the same permitted development rights as houses.
If an existing planning condition removed permitted development rights on your property — common on some newer estates — the rules are different again. It is a quick check with the council and worth doing.
Dropped kerbs are separate
Creating or widening a vehicle crossing over the public footway is a highways matter, handled by the local authority, and is not covered by permitted development for the driveway itself.
The council specifies how the crossing must be constructed and who may carry out the work. Plan this early, because approval takes time and there is no point having a driveway you cannot legally drive onto.
How we build it in
At quoting stage we look at where surface water currently goes, what the sub-grade is like, and whether a soakaway is viable. Heavy clay does not soak away quickly, which sometimes points towards a channel drain connected to an appropriate outlet instead.
The drainage strategy goes on the written quote so you know exactly what is being installed rather than discovering it later.
Frequently asked questions
Is resin bound permeable?+
The resin bound surface itself is permeable. Whether the driveway as a whole drains through depends on the base it sits on being permeable too.
Do I need permission to replace a like-for-like driveway?+
Replacing an existing hard surface still needs to meet current surface water expectations. We design for that as standard.
Who arranges the dropped kerb?+
The application goes to your local highways authority. We can advise on what they typically require, but the approval is between you and the council.
Is a soakaway always possible?+
No. Clay sub-grades and high water tables limit them. We assess the ground before specifying one.
Not sure what your property needs?
We will look at your levels and drainage on a free site visit and tell you what is realistic.