Since 2008 the UK planning rules have required any front-garden hard surface over 5 m² to be permeable or drain to a soakaway. Get this wrong and you're technically in breach of planning — even for a residential driveway.
What SuDS actually means
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) manage rainwater at source instead of pushing it onto the highway. A permeable driveway lets rain soak straight through the surface and into the ground, preventing surface run-off and flash flooding.
Resin bound as a SuDS solution
A correctly installed resin bound driveway drains at over 400 litres per m² per minute — far more than any UK rainfall event. Combined with a Type 3 open-graded sub-base, it satisfies permitted development criteria without a planning application.
When you still need permission
Listed buildings, conservation areas, some Article 4 zones, and drives dropping onto classified roads (kerb crossovers) still require consent. We'll flag these on your survey and prepare drawings if needed.
Documentation we provide
Every Resi-Tech installation is supplied with a permeability certificate, aggregate specification and photographic record — all of which protect you at resale and satisfy any council enforcement query.
