Guildford Resin Driveways

Permeable resin driveways and SuDS

Resin bound is often sold as "permeable", but the surface only drains if the layers beneath it do. A genuinely permeable driveway lets rain soak into the ground on your property, which normally removes the need for planning permission and reduces run-off onto the road.

Speak to a resin specialist

No obligation. Tell us about the job and a vetted local installer will be in touch by email.

We pass your enquiry to one vetted installer covering your postcode, who contacts you to arrange a site visit and written quotation. We do not sell your details to anyone else. See our privacy policy.

In short: a permeable resin driveway needs three things: a resin bound surface, a porous binder course (such as permeable macadam) and an open-graded sub-base (Type 3 or 4/20) over ground that can absorb water. Resin laid over solid concrete or dense tarmac is not permeable to ground, so it needs falls and drainage to a lawn, border, soakaway or channel.

How a permeable driveway works

Layer Typical material Job
Surface Resin bound aggregate, around 18 mm Wearing course; lets water through
Binder course Permeable (porous) macadam Supports the resin; stays open to water
Sub-base Open-graded Type 3 or 4/20 aggregate Strength plus voids that store water
Separation Geotextile Stops soil migrating into the sub-base
Ground Existing subgrade Absorbs the water

Government guidance on front-garden paving notes that conventional MOT Type 1 and hardcore contain fines that slow water down, and names open-graded 4/20 and Type 3 as the materials for permeable bases.

Why it matters

Since 1 October 2008, new or replacement impermeable front-garden surfaces over 5 m² in England need planning permission unless they drain to a permeable area within the property. A permeable driveway avoids that. It also reduces the surface water that runs into roads and drains during heavy rain; the Environment Agency's 2024 national assessment estimates 4.6 million properties in England are at risk of surface water flooding. More figures are in our statistics page.

Simple checks you can do

The government guidance describes two homeowner tests:

  • Hosepipe test on a finished surface: after one or two minutes there should be no puddles and water should not run more than 200 to 300 mm across the surface.
  • Pit test on the ground before building: dig a 300 mm cube, fill with water; if it takes more than 11 hours to drain, the design should include a pipe rather than relying on the ground alone.

Keeping it permeable

Silt, leaf litter and moss can clog the surface over time, slowing drainage. Regular sweeping and an occasional wash keep the voids open. Avoid storing soil or sand on the drive. See resin driveways and drainage for more.

Frequently asked questions

Is every resin bound driveway permeable?

The surface layer is porous, but whether water reaches the ground depends on the base. Over solid concrete or dense tarmac, water drains through the resin and then runs across the old surface. Ask the installer to state in writing how the drive drains.

My soil is clay. Can I still have a permeable drive?

Possibly. Heavy clay absorbs water slowly. Government guidance describes a simple pit test; where the ground drains too slowly, a permeable build-up can store water and release it through a pipe or to a soakaway. The installer should assess this on site.

Do I need planning permission for a permeable drive?

Not normally, at any size, in England. Exceptions include conservation areas with Article 4 directions, listed buildings, flats and new dropped kerbs. See our planning guide.

Related guides

Planning permission

The 5 m² rule, permeable surfaces, conservation areas, listed buildings and dropped kerbs.

Speak to a resin specialist