Extending Your Driveway? The Planning Rules & Pitfalls You Need to Know

One of the most frequent requests we get at DBG Projects is: "Can we widen the driveway to fit another car?"

With multi-car households becoming the norm and on-street parking becoming a headache, paving over part of the front garden makes sense. It adds convenience and can even increase property value. However, many homeowners assume that because it is their land, they can do whatever they like with it.

Unfortunately, that isn’t always true. While driveway extensions often fall under "Permitted Development," there are strict conditions you must meet. Ignoring them can lead to council enforcement action and costly remedial work.

Here is your essential checklist for extending your driveway without the headache.

1. The "5 Square Metre" Rule (Planning Permission)

Since 2008, the rules regarding front gardens have focused heavily on flood prevention. If the area you want to pave is more than 5 square meters, you have two choices:

• Option A: Use Permeable Materials (No Planning Needed). If you use a porous surface like gravel, permeable block paving, or resin-bound surfacing that allows water to drain naturally into the ground, you do not need planning permission. This is usually the best, fastest, and cheapest route.

• Option B: Install Drainage (No Planning Needed). If you want a non-permeable surface (like standard concrete or tarmac), you must install a drainage channel (ACO drain) that directs water to a soakaway or flowerbed within your property. It cannot run onto the public highway.

• The Trap: If you pave a large area with non-porous material and let the rainwater run off onto the road, you will need full planning permission.

2. The Dropped Kerb (Highways Permission)

This is the most common stumbling block. You might have permission to pave your garden, but that doesn't automatically give you permission to drive a car across the pavement to get to it.

To legally cross the public footway, you need a Dropped Kerb (Vehicle Crossover).

• The Rule: You must apply to your local council’s Highways Department for a license (Section 184).

• The Check: They will check for safety issues, such as visibility splays, proximity to junctions, and street furniture (lamp posts or trees).

• The Risk: Driving over a standard full-height kerb is illegal; it damages the pavement and underground utility pipes. If you do this, the council can charge you for the damage.

3. Consider Future-Proofing (EV Charging)

If you are digging up the driveway today, think about the car you might drive in five years.

• Cable Routes: Even if you don't have an Electric Vehicle (EV) yet, it is cost-effective to lay the ducting for a charging cable under your new driveway now. Retrofitting it later means digging up your beautiful new paving.

• Load Bearing: Electric vehicles are significantly heavier than petrol cars due to their batteries. At DBG, we ensure the sub-base (the stone foundation) is engineered to withstand this extra weight without sinking or rutting.

4. Aesthetics vs. "The Car Park Look"

Turning your entire front garden into a block-paved slab can sometimes hurt your home's "kerb appeal" by making it look harsh and industrial.

• The Solution: We often recommend integrating "soft landscaping" into the design. Keeping small borders, using decorative gravel edges, or incorporating planters (which we can custom build) breaks up the hard surfaces and helps with drainage, keeping the council happy and your home looking welcoming.

Summary: Check Twice, Dig Once

While most driveway projects are straightforward, the fines for getting it wrong are not worth the risk.

• Do you need planning? Not if you choose the right materials (Permeable).

• Do you need a dropped kerb? Yes, almost always.

• Do you need expert advice? Definitely.

At DBG Projects, we don't just lay stone. We understand the legislation, handle the drainage engineering, and ensure your new driveway is legally compliant and built to last.

Need more space to park? Contact us today for a site consultation, and let’s discuss how to extend your driveway the right way.