Permeable driveways
Permeable driveways in Rutland, Stamford and the villages around them that let rain soak away, so no planning application is needed for the front garden.
As a guide, a permeable resin bound driveway costs £150–£220 per m², permeable block paving £140–£210 per m² and stabilised gravel £60–£100 per m², all in. On heavy clay a lined system with a controlled outlet adds to that. A new or replacement front driveway needs no planning permission if it is permeable, or if the water drains to a lawn or border on your own land.
- Permeable block
- £140–£210 per m²
- Planning
- Not needed for a permeable front drive
- Guarantee
- 5 years, in writing
Guide prices from 2026 online price guides, at the higher end. Your fixed price comes in writing after the site visit.
What it is
A permeable driveway lets rain soak through the surface and the base into the ground, instead of running onto the road. Resin bound, permeable block paving and stabilised gravel can all be built as permeable systems, but only on an open-graded base designed for the ground underneath.
Why permeable
Since October 2008, paving more than 5m² of front garden in a surface that drains to the road needs planning permission. A permeable drive avoids that, and keeps surface water out of overloaded drains.
The surface alone does not make it permeable: the base has to be open-graded stone with no fines, deep enough to hold a downpour while it soaks away.
When the ground will not take it
On heavy clay the water has nowhere to go, so the base is lined and drained through a controlled outlet to a soakaway, crate or approved connection. We test the ground before designing it.
Planning
A new or replacement front driveway needs no planning permission if it is permeable, or if the water drains to a lawn or border on your own land. More than 5m² of impermeable surface draining to the road needs planning permission. Planning Portal: paving your front garden
What you get
- Surfaces that meet the front garden rule without a planning application
- Open-graded sub-base sized for your ground and the rainfall
- Lined systems with a controlled outlet where the ground will not take water
- Resin bound, permeable block or stabilised gravel finishes
The specification
- Ground tested for how fast it takes water
- Geotextile and open-graded sub-base, no fines
- Permeable laying course
- Resin bound, permeable block or gravel surface
- Edges restrained so the surface cannot spread
- Five year workmanship guarantee in writing
The kind of finish we build
“Really pleased with my new driveway. Beautifully finished, friendly professional workmen, would definitely recommend and will be using them again for the garden once other renovations complete.”
Driveway — Google review
“Absolutely great guys, job was done in good time and looks brilliant. No complaints, the driveway is immaculate. More work in the near future, thanks again!”
Driveway — Google review
Things people ask us
How much does a permeable driveway cost?
Is a permeable driveway the same as a soakaway?
Do permeable drives clog up?
Permeable driveways near you
- Permeable driveways in Oakham
- Permeable driveways in Uppingham
- Permeable driveways in Stamford
- Permeable driveways in Market Harborough
- Permeable driveways in Corby
- Permeable driveways in Kettering
- Permeable driveways in Ketton
- Permeable driveways in Empingham
- Permeable driveways in Cottesmore
- Permeable driveways in Greetham
- Permeable driveways in Langham
- Permeable driveways in Whissendine
- Permeable driveways in Ryhall
- Permeable driveways in Edith Weston
- Permeable driveways in Weldon
- Permeable driveways in Great Bowden
Request a site visit
We measure up, check levels and drainage, and send a written proposal with the build-up, the programme and one whole price. No pressure and no follow-up sales calls.