Planning permission – Turnabout Landsapes

Planning Permission’

Do I need planning permission for my new driveway?

Most of the time planning permission is not required as long as the rain water which lands on your driveway does not run into the road. Obviously there is a lot more to this but using permeable paving such as Permeable block paving, resin bound gravel and stabilised gravel usually don’t require planning permission.(these are called SUDs Compliant). With standard block paving and other non-permeable paving the surface water needs to be collected in a soakaway so water doesn’t run into the road.

Examples of permeable surfaces

Stabilised Gravel

Permeable block paving

Resin bound gravel

Planning maybe required in a conservation area or a listed house. Also front walls of a certain height and gates need planning. During your design consultation we will go through this with you. We can draw up all of the relevant plans for the planning application process.

From 1 October 2008 the permitted development rights (see Glossary) that allow householders to pave their front garden with hardstanding without planning permission have changed in order to reduce the impact of this type of development on flooding and on pollution of watercourses

You will not need planning permission if a new or replacement driveway of any size uses permeable (or porous) surfacing, such as gravel, permeable concrete block paving or porous asphalt, or if the rainwater is directed to a lawn or border to drain naturally

If the surface to be covered is more than 5 square metres planning permission will be needed for laying traditional, impermeable driveways that do not provide for the water to run to a permeable area.’ For more information visit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permeable-surfacing-of-front-gardens-guidance/guidance-on-the-permeable-surfacing-of-front-gardens