One of the final questions many people have before they commit to laying a resin driveway, having been won over by their beauty, versatility, longevity and sustainable credentials, is about whether planning permission would be required to fit it.
This is one of the most important questions surrounding any home improvement project, particularly one which takes up as much space as a drive, but also one that can typically be definitively answered.
As with any development, it is always best to consult your local planning authority if you are in any doubt regarding the work you are doing.
Whilst in most cases you will not need planning permission, there are some more unusual cases where it could be necessary to check and potentially you may even need to apply.
Is Planning Permission Always Necessary?
No. Resin drives are designed to be Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SuDS) and when fitted in a way that meets or exceeds these specifications and principles,
According to the Planning Portal, a new or replacement driveway of any size that uses permeable surfacing which allows water to drain through or channels it to a natural drainage site such as a lawn or the soil border of a garden is a permitted development regardless of size.
A permitted development does not require planning permission, and resin drives can in many projects meet this standard.
What Is A Sustainable Resin Drive?
A sustainable resin drive needs to consist of a permeable base and be made using the resin-bound technique.
Resin-bound driveways mix an aggregate and a resin mixture to create a bound surface that allows for small gaps between the aggregate pieces. These gaps make the surface permeable, which makes it SuDS-compliant.
Despite being permeable, this does not stop a resin-bound surface from being weed-resistant, crack-resistant, hard-wearing even during unseasonably warm or frosty weather, and unlikely to fade.
Sustainable drainage drives are essential not only to avoid standing water but also to reduce the flood risk for you and your local area.
When Is Planning Permission Necessary?
Planning permission may be necessary for some resin drives if the method of application or the underlying base materials are impermeable.
Resin-bonded drives, where aggregate stones are scattered over a layer of resin, often require a solid surface and create an impermeable layer of resin, meaning that water would pool on top or pour down the drive into the closest drain on the road.
Otherwise, a resin-bound drive laid on top of an impermeable surface such as concrete would also count as an impermeable surface, despite the resin-bound material being porous.
In either case, the rules for the drive are similar to traditional surfaces such as concrete or impermeable block paving. Any drive up to five square metres in size is allowed under permitted development rights.
However, any driveway larger than this would require planning permission, as would any drive in a house not covered by permitted development rights.
This includes conservation areas which may have additional planning conditions, anywhere with an Article 4 direction or if your LPA has restrictions on certain planning development rights.