There are two types of resin driveways: resin-bound and resin-bonded. Whether you can get planning permission depends on which of these you want. In general, you don’t need planning permission for resin-bound driveways. You will need planning permission for resin-bonded driveways.
This page will tell you how planning permission works concerning resin driveways. For any more information, feel free to contact us for an obligation-free chat.
What is a resin-bound driveway?
A resin-bound driveway is made of a mix of resin and small stones, known as aggregate. Driveway layers will first come to your property to assess the site and develop a plan. They’ll inspect and, if necessary, lay a new sub-base. A high-quality sub-base is quite literally the foundation of a good, long-lasting resin-bound driveway.
When the day comes for laying your resin-bound driveway, the company will turn up with all their materials. They’ll usually mark the areas out for applying the resin beforehand. They’ll mix the resin and aggregate on-site before laying it on the sub-base. They’ll then work quickly to ensure it’s perfectly level.
A resin-bound driveway is usually completely hardened and ready for use within 24 hours. You can then park your cars as usual. It might take slightly longer at particularly wet times of the year before the driveway is ready to use.
Resin-bound driveways come with a whole host of benefits, including:
- SUDS-compliant and good for the local water table
- Slip-resistant
- Decolourisation from UV rays-resistant
- Difficult for weeds to grow through
- Smooth and level surface
- You don’t usually need any planning permission
Resin-bound driveways and the environment
One of the main advantages of resin-bound driveways is their environmentally-friendly properties. This doesn’t yet stem from the material properties, although we hope to see more developments in this in the future. Instead, resin-bound driveways are great for the local water table.
This stems from their porous qualities. The water drains through at a controlled rate and disperses into the local water table. By allowing the water to drip through rather than stream off onto the roads and down the storm drains, there’s less impact on the local system. The water enters the table at a controlled rate rather than flooding in at once.
The environment is protected in this way. It also means the water doesn’t pick up all sorts of pollutants from the road surfaces. This is known as SUDS compliance.
Resin-bonded driveways are made from a solid layer of resin. Since it isn’t porous, water drains off rather than through. These aren’t SUDS-compliant and therefore aren’t so good for the environment or the local water table.
Planning permission and resin driveways
Resin-bound driveways don’t usually need planning permission. That’s because the Government wants to encourage all SUDS-compliant infrastructure. However, it’s the local council you really need to consult. Planning permission hasn’t been required in all the situations we’ve ever dealt with. But it’s always best to make sure. Contact your local planning department, just to be safe.
Note that resin-bonded driveways will require planning permission. These aren’t SUDS-compliant. The water will drain onto the roads and down the storm drains, taking pollutants with them. If you want to install a resin-bonded driveway, you’ll need permission from the local council.
Buffalo Driveways are here for you
Buffalo Driveways are passionate about helping you improve your home. A resin-bound driveway is practical, environmentally friendly and useful. At the same time, it adds value, all while not requiring planning permission. It’s a win/win.
Buffalo Driveways will be with you every step of the way, starting from site inspection all the way through to finishing. We only use our own workers and don’t contract any subcontractors. That means we trust the job to be completed to a very high standard, and everyone’s covered by our liability insurance.
The technical survey backs up all our decisions, and we’ll run through this with you before we get started. We also offer a five-year guarantee on overlay projects (where we lay on an existing sub-base). We’ll also provide a 10-year warranty on complete projects where we lay the sub-base. We expect your resin driveway to last much longer than this, though.
Contact us by using the form at the bottom of this page for an obligation-free chat about resin-bound driveways. We can’t wait to hear from you.