Confused about planning permission for your new driveway? Our clear guide explains exactly when you need it, when you don't, and how drainage rules affect your choices.
The Basic Rule
In England, you can normally pave over your front garden and create a new driveway without planning permission — provided the surface is permeable (porous).
Permeable surfaces allow rainwater to drain through them into the ground below, rather than running off into the road drainage system. This is the key legal distinction.
If your proposed driveway surface is impermeable (solid concrete, solid tarmac, non-porous block paving), planning permission is needed unless you make specific provision for the water to drain to a suitable area on your own land (e.g. a planted border or lawn area).
What Counts as a Permeable Surface?
Surfaces that are inherently permeable and don't require planning permission:
- •Resin bound gravel — water drains through the body of the surface
- •Permeable block paving — water drains through the joints
- •Loose gravel — water drains straight through
- •Permeable concrete — water drains through the material
Surfaces that are not permeable and may need permission if over 5m²: • Plain concrete (standard impermeable mix) • Standard tarmac/macadam • Clay pavers laid on a solid mortar bed
In practice, most block paving installations qualify as permeable when laid on a compacted granular sub-base with open joints (or polymeric sand joints), so planning permission is typically not required.
The 5m² Rule
The planning rules only apply to hard surfaces over 5m² that front onto a highway (i.e. at the front of the property). Rear garden paving is not affected by these rules and does not require planning permission regardless of the surface type.
For front drives under 5m², you can use any surface material without permission.
Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings
If your property is in a conservation area or is listed, different — and stricter — rules apply. You may need planning permission even for permeable surfaces, and there may be restrictions on the materials you can use.
Altrincham, Bowdon and several other areas in Greater Manchester have designated conservation areas. If you're unsure, check Trafford Council's interactive conservation area map, or ask us — we'll advise at your free quote.
For listed buildings, always get Listed Building Consent before starting any driveway or landscaping work.
Dropped Kerbs
Creating a new vehicle access point from the public highway — a dropped kerb — always requires permission from the local highways authority (in Greater Manchester, Transport for Greater Manchester or the relevant council). This is separate from planning permission.
If you're creating a brand new access onto a public road, we'll guide you through the process. Applications typically take 4–8 weeks and there is a fee.
If you're replacing an existing driveway that already has a dropped kerb, no new application is needed unless you're widening the access point significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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