Summary

Driveway replacement is one of the most common domestic improvement jobs in the UK, and one of the most poorly specified. The default choice — imprinted concrete or block paving with no drainage consideration — typically results in surface water flooding neighbours or the public highway, which has been illegal without planning permission since 2008 (Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008).

Understanding the planning position, the relative merits of each material, and the construction specification required for a durable result is essential for any landscaper or builder offering driveway work.

Key Facts

  • Planning (impermeable surfaces) — Impermeable hard-standing in a front garden over 5m² requires householder planning permission unless drainage is directed to a lawn, border, or soakaway on the property
  • Permeable surfaces are PD — Permeable block paving, gravel, resin bound, and permeable concrete do not require planning permission regardless of area
  • SuDS — Sustainable Urban Drainage System. All new domestic driveways should incorporate SuDS principles (infiltration or attenuation) under NPPF guidance
  • Sub-base — All driveway materials require a compacted granular sub-base (MOT Type 1). Minimum 100mm for light domestic traffic, 150mm for frequent or heavy vehicles
  • Excavation depth — Total construction depth includes: sub-base + bedding layer + surface. Typical total: 200–350mm depending on surface type
  • Fall/drainage — Minimum 1:60 gradient across the surface for drainage. Direct surface water away from building and highway
  • Edgings — All driveways require edge restraints (kerb, edging block, or timber) to prevent spreading. Edgings must be set in concrete haunching

Quick Reference Table

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Surface Cost (supply & install) Permeability Lifespan Planning
Tarmac (macadam) £40–80/m² No 20–30 years Required if front garden >5m²
Concrete (plain) £50–90/m² No 30–40 years Required if front garden >5m²
Block paving (standard) £60–120/m² No 20–30 years Required if front garden >5m²
Permeable block paving £70–130/m² Yes 20–25 years Not required
Resin bound £60–100/m² Yes 15–25 years Not required
Resin bonded £30–60/m² No 10–15 years Required if front garden >5m²
Gravel (loose) £20–40/m² Yes 5–10 years (top-up) Not required
Gravel on membrane £25–50/m² Yes 10–15 years Not required

Detailed Guidance

Tarmac (Macadam)

Tarmac (bituminous macadam) is the most economical choice for large areas. It is laid by a specialist tarmac contractor — not a job for amateurs. Two-coat construction: 60mm base course (larger aggregate) + 25mm surface course (fine aggregate, coloured if desired).

Sub-base: 150mm compacted MOT Type 1 minimum for domestic vehicles. Road roller compaction required — hand compaction is not adequate for tarmac.

Edge restraints: Concrete kerb or edging block is required around all tarmac edges. The tarmac will spread without edge restraint.

Colour: Standard black. Red and buff colouring is available in surface dressing (a chip/tar surface applied after laying) but adds cost and is less durable than coloured tarmac.

Lifespan: 20–30 years with good sub-base preparation. Tarmac softens in prolonged hot weather (above 35°C) — avoid stationary heavy vehicles (skips, scaffolding lorries) in midsummer.

Planning: Not permeable — planning permission required for front gardens over 5m² unless surface water drains to a lawn or soakaway.

Concrete

Reinforced concrete driveways are durable and low-maintenance but require careful specification to avoid cracking.

Mix: Minimum C25/30. Reinforced with A142 mesh (6mm bar at 200mm centres both ways).

Slab thickness: Minimum 100mm for domestic cars, 150mm for frequent heavier vehicles.

Joint layout: Maximum 4×4m bays with 10mm movement joints filled with compressible filler and sealed. Without joints, concrete WILL crack.

Cure time: Do not use the driveway for 7 days minimum (28 days for full strength). Cover with polythene in hot weather to prevent rapid drying.

Surface treatment: Exposed aggregate, pattern imprinted, or brushed finish. Imprinted concrete is a premium finish but requires periodic re-sealing (every 3–5 years) to maintain appearance.

Block Paving

The most popular residential driveway choice in the UK. Individual concrete blocks (200×100×65mm standard, or natural stone for premium installations) laid in sand on a compacted sub-base.

Sub-base: 150mm compacted MOT Type 1 for domestic vehicles. Geotextile membrane between sub-base and bedding sand is recommended.

Bedding sand: 25–40mm sharp sand (not builder's sand). Screeded to correct level and falls before block laying.

Laying pattern: Herringbone (45° or 90°) for driveways — most stable under traffic. Stretcher bond for paths. 45° herringbone requires a 45° cut at every edge — significant additional cutting.

Edge restraints: Concrete haunching behind all edging blocks. Edge course blocks set in concrete haunching before filling the main area.

Kiln-dried sand: Swept into joints after laying and plate-vibrated in. Repeat 2–3 times until joints are full. Top up annually.

Weeds: The main maintenance issue. Jointing compounds (polymeric sand) reduce but don't eliminate weed growth. A geotextile under the bedding sand helps.

Permeable block paving: Uses the same blocks but with wider joints (5–8mm) filled with gravel rather than sand, and a permeable sub-base (Type 3 or recycled glass). Meets SuDS and planning requirements.

Resin Bound

EPDM rubber or natural aggregate bound with polyurethane resin, installed over a solid base (tarmac or concrete). Not to be confused with resin bonded (aggregate glued to a surface — not permeable).

Installation: Resin and aggregate mixed off-site or on-site, poured and trowel-finished within the resin's pot life (approximately 20–30 minutes). Professional team required.

Base: Must be on a permeable or drained tarmac/concrete base. SuDS-compliant installation requires permeable base or drainage layer.

Thickness: Typically 18–25mm over a sound base.

Colour range: Wide — the aggregate (stone, quartz, glass) determines the colour. Natural earth tones are most popular.

UV stability: Use UV-stable resin to prevent yellowing. All reputable resin systems are UV-stable — check specification.

Lifespan: 15–25 years on a good base. The resin can crack if the base moves. Repairs are possible with the same material.

Gravel

The most economical permeable option. Self-binding gravel (compacted into a firm surface) or loose gravel (free-draining, needs edge restraint to prevent migration).

Self-binding gravel: Limestone, granite, or sandstone dust. Compressed with a roller to a firm surface. Low cost, natural appearance. Picks up on shoes after rain.

Loose decorative gravel: 20mm shingle or slate chips on a weed-suppressing geotextile membrane. Good drainage. Requires edge restraint (timber, metal, concrete kerb). Gravel migrates — top up every 5–10 years.

Depth: 50–100mm gravel on 50mm sharp sand on geotextile on 100mm sub-base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?

If the surface is permeable (resin bound, permeable block paving, gravel, permeable concrete) — no planning permission required in England for any size.

If the surface is impermeable (tarmac, concrete, solid block paving) — planning permission required if the driveway area is over 5m², unless all surface water is directed to a lawn, planted border, or soakaway within your own property, away from the highway.

In Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, rules differ. Always check with your local planning authority.

How long does a new driveway take to install?

A typical domestic driveway (50–80m²) takes:

  • Tarmac: 1 day (if sub-base already installed)
  • Block paving: 3–5 days
  • Concrete: 2–3 days (plus 7 days cure before use)
  • Resin bound: 1–2 days (over existing base) or 3–4 days (including new base)
  • Gravel: 1–2 days

Can I drive on block paving immediately after installation?

Yes — block paving can bear traffic immediately after plate vibration of the joint sand. However, avoid turning the steering wheel while stationary on new block paving for the first 3–4 weeks — this can disturb the bedding sand before it fully settles.

Does a resin driveway get hot in summer?

Less so than tarmac. Lighter-coloured resin bound surfaces reflect more solar radiation and are cooler to walk on barefoot than black tarmac or dark concrete. EPDM-based resin is generally more heat-stable than polyurethane.

Regulations & Standards

  • Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2008 — Impermeable front garden surfaces planning requirements

  • BS 7533 Parts 1, 3, and 7 — Pavements constructed with clay, natural stone, and concrete paving units

  • CIRIA C753 — The SuDS Manual (sustainable drainage design reference)

  • Approved Document H — Surface water drainage requirements

  • Planning Portal — Garden and Driveway Guidance — Planning permission for driveways

  • CIRIA SuDS Manual (C753) — Sustainable drainage design for driveways

  • British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) — Driveway contractor standards and guidance

  • block paving — Block paving sub-base and installation detail

  • resin bound gravel — Resin bound surfacing installation and specification

  • soakaways — Soakaway design for driveway surface water

  • planning permission — Broader permitted development rules