Driveway Guides

Why your driveway is worth getting right first time

Your driveway is the first thing people see when they arrive at your home. It handles the weight of vehicles every day, has to drain rainwater reliably, and needs to look presentable year after year with minimal effort on your part. A well-built driveway does all of that invisibly. A poorly built one develops ruts, weeds, drainage problems and loose edges within a few years - and replacing it costs as much as doing it right would have in the first place.

This guide covers everything you need to know before investing in a new driveway: the main surface options, what a proper installation involves, planning permission rules, drainage requirements and how to budget accurately.

Driveway surface types compared

Block paving

Block paving is the most popular driveway choice in Surrey and for good reason. Individual concrete or clay blocks are laid on a compacted sand bed over a hardcore sub-base. The result is a solid, attractive surface that drains through its joints, can carry heavy vehicles and allows individual blocks to be lifted and replaced if needed in future.

It is available in a wide range of colours, sizes and laying patterns - herringbone is standard for driveways because it interlocks under load and resists spreading. The main maintenance requirement is re-sanding the joints every few years and occasional weed treatment. Sealing after installation locks the jointing sand in and makes cleaning easier.

Best for: Classic and traditional homes, larger driveways, homeowners who want a long-lasting surface that is easy to repair.

Resin bound

Resin bound driveways have become very popular over the last five years. Stone aggregate is mixed with a clear polyurethane resin and trowelled onto a prepared surface to create a smooth, permeable, weed-resistant finish. The result looks clean and contemporary, drains through the surface itself (no standing water), and stays weed-free because there are no open joints.

The key word is "bound" - not "bonded". Resin bound (mixed first, then laid) is permeable and UV stable. Resin bonded (glued onto a solid surface) is not permeable and can peel. Make sure you know which you are being quoted for.

Resin bound is more expensive per m2 than block paving but requires less maintenance long-term. The surface can be repaired if damaged but matching the stone colour exactly can be difficult.

Best for: Contemporary homes, areas where drainage is a concern, homeowners who want a very low-maintenance finish.

Tarmac (asphalt)

Tarmac is the most cost-effective hard driveway surface and - when properly installed - one of the most durable. It handles heavy vehicles well, drains quickly and is quick to lay. The appearance is functional rather than decorative, which suits some properties very well.

A good tarmac installation uses a proper sub-base, two layers of tarmac (binder course and wearing course) and neat edging. Watch out for contractors who lay a thin single coat over whatever is there already - it will crack and break up within a few years.

Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners, larger driveways, properties where function matters more than appearance.

Gravel

Gravel is the most affordable driveway option and provides a classic country look that suits period properties very well. It is also permeable by nature, which has planning advantages (more on that below). The trade-offs are that it needs edging to stay contained, requires occasional raking and topping up, and can be tracked into the house on shoes.

Using a cellular confinement grid (plastic mesh laid under the gravel) dramatically reduces spread and the need to rake. It also improves drainage and stability underfoot.

Best for: Rural or period properties, areas with good sub-base already, homeowners with a limited budget who want a natural look.

Granite setts

Granite setts give driveways an immediate premium, period feel. Small rectilinear blocks of natural granite are laid in a bed of mortar or compacted over a sand bed, often in traditional fan patterns or straight coursed runs. They are extremely durable, look better with age, and suit older properties in ways that no modern surface can match.

They are also the most labour-intensive option and the most expensive. For most people, granite setts work best as an accent or edging detail alongside block paving or resin, rather than for the full driveway area.

Best for: Period and character properties, using as a feature edge or border, homeowners who want a surface that improves with age.

Planning permission for driveways - what you need to know

This is the question we get asked most often, and the answer is: it depends on the surface and the drainage.

Since 2008, front garden driveways over 5 square metres require planning permission unless the surface is permeable (water drains through it) or water drains to a lawn or border rather than the street. This rule exists because millions of front gardens were paved over and the combined run-off was overwhelming drainage systems.

In practice this means:

• Resin bound, gravel and permeable block paving generally do not need planning permission because they drain through the surface.
• Solid block paving, tarmac and concrete require planning permission unless run-off is directed to a garden area rather than the highway.
• Driveways at the side or rear of a property are not affected by this rule.

Drainage - the part most people overlook

A driveway that does not drain properly is a problem from the first heavy rain. Water pooling on the surface looks bad, accelerates surface deterioration, and can cause water ingress to your property if the driveway runs up to the house.

A properly designed driveway includes:

• Correct falls across the surface so water moves to a collection point rather than pooling.
• A channel drain (sometimes called an ACO drain) at the bottom of any slope or across the front of the garage to intercept run-off before it reaches the road or the house.
• A connection to a soakaway or suitable drainage point for the collected water. This is a legal requirement - you cannot direct driveway run-off into the foul sewer.

Ask any contractor where the water goes. If they cannot give you a clear answer, that is a red flag.

How much does a driveway cost in Surrey?

A typical Surrey driveway of 40-60m2 costs between £3,500 and £7,000 installed, depending on the chosen surface and any extra works like dropped kerbs, gates or drainage. Larger driveways with complex shapes, levels or drainage requirements will be at the higher end.

What to check before hiring a driveway contractor

• What sub-base depth are they laying and what material?
• Where will rainwater drain to and how will it get there?
• Do you need planning permission and have they checked?
• Are they organising the dropped kerb if one is needed?
• Is waste removal included in the price?
• Are they VAT registered and do they carry public liability insurance?
• What guarantee do they offer on the finished driveway?

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