The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:03 pm**

I hope you can help, i've been reading lots and have spoken briefly with local planning. But have ended up completely confused about what my driveway options are.

I am hoping to concrete (non-porous) a 17m2 strip to become my new driveway adjacent to the existing concrete drive. Beside this new concrete will be a gravel covered border garden to cope with the drainage. Does this driveway layout need planning?

The planning portal document reads as follows:

"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 five 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."

As i read it i am o.k to continue as i allow for the water to run to a lawn or border. The council 'planning' person i spoke to said she thought that if it was over 5m2 non-permeable surface i would need planning! But she basically wasn't sure and suggested i paid a fee for pre-planning advice. If anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it. Everyone I ask seems to think i've interpreted it correctly but if anyone has any experience in this situation that would be great.
Thanks for reading,
Joe

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:54 pm**

Well i think you'll be fine. If you direct water off to the side as per the outline conditions you have quoted i think you then have a really strong argument if an issue did ever arise. Ive yet to get planning for a driveway to date, ive yet to hear of any suds etc to be enforced either.

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:37 pm**

Planning would not be required if the surface water from your drive drains within your area/land and does not flow onto the highway. This can be achieved by water draining from your concrete drive onto a grass/gravel area or if this is not possible a soakaway needs to be installed.

Most planners are not up to speed with this regulation and certainly in my area never police it!

Posted: **Thu Jul 12, 2012 9:26 pm**

Thanks for you replies chaps, nice to get some other opinions on it.
Think I'll just go ahead with what I've planned as the drainage is taken care of into the border. Thanks again for your help, great forum.

The Brew Cabin

Concrete driveway planning confusion... - Planning for concrete drive