Start with the water
In England, a new or replacement front drive over five square metres needs planning permission if it is impermeable and drains onto the road. A permeable surface, or one that drains to a lawn, border or soakaway on your own land, doesn't. So the first question for any York drive is where the rain will go.
York's ground varies a lot over short distances. Much of the south and west of the city sits on lake clays and glacial till that drain slowly. Places such as Nether Poppleton, parts of Fulford and Bishopthorpe, and Strensall are on sand or gravel that drains freely. The rivers Ouse and Foss add flood zones along their banks. We dig a test hole on every job, because the answer decides how deep the base goes and whether a soakaway will work.
Resin-bound
Resin-bound is a mix of natural aggregate and clear resin, trowelled smooth over a porous base. Water passes straight through it, so it suits front gardens where drainage matters.
- Suits: semis and detached houses wanting a neat, seamless finish; flood-aware plots near the rivers.
- Watch for: it needs a sound, porous base. Laying it over old cracked concrete or a tarmac surface that doesn't drain is a common cause of failure.
- Upkeep: an occasional sweep and wash. Moss can grow in shaded spots.
- Looks: many colours. Buff and golden tones sit well beside York brick.
Read more on our resin-bound page.
Block paving
Block paving uses individual clay or concrete pavers on a compacted base, with sand in the joints. Standard block paving sheds water, so it needs falls to a drain or the garden. Permeable block paving has wider joints filled with grit and a deeper open-graded base, so water soaks through.
- Suits: most houses, from 1930s semis to new estates; patterns and borders can tie a drive to the house.
- Watch for: weeds in the joints on standard paving, and sinking where the base was too thin.
- Upkeep: re-sanding joints every few years; individual blocks can be lifted and relaid.
- Looks: clay pavers in reds and browns suit Victorian and Edwardian brick; concrete blocks come in many shades.
Read more on our block paving page.
Gravel
Gravel is the simplest permeable drive: a compacted stone base, often a plastic grid to hold the stones, and a top layer of decorative gravel.
- Suits: village houses, conservation areas and larger plots where a softer look fits the street.
- Watch for: stones spreading onto the pavement, so a paved strip or edging at the entrance helps. It's harder going for wheelchairs, buggies and wheelie bins.
- Upkeep: raking and an occasional top-up.
- Looks: many local and imported stones, from Yorkshire limestone chippings to warm golden gravels.
Read more on our gravel page.
Tarmac
Tarmac (asphalt) is laid hot in two layers over a compacted base. It's hard-wearing and quick to lay, but standard tarmac is impermeable, so a front drive needs to drain to the garden, a soakaway or a channel drain on your land. Porous asphalt is available for some jobs.
- Suits: long drives, turning areas and family parking where durability matters most.
- Watch for: drainage design, and softening in very hot weather when it's new.
- Upkeep: very little; edges should be well restrained.
- Looks: black or red, often with a block-paved border to soften it.
Read more on our tarmac page.
Conservation areas and listed buildings
York has more than thirty conservation areas, from the historic core to villages such as Heslington, Copmanthorpe, Bishopthorpe and Nether Poppleton. A drive is still possible in most of them, but removing front walls or railings and the choice of materials can matter. Gravel, setts and clay pavers often suit older streets better than concrete blocks. If your house is listed, changes affecting its character or setting can need listed building consent. Our conservation and drainage guide covers this in more detail.
Which surface suits which house
| Home | Surfaces that often suit |
|---|---|
| Victorian or Edwardian terrace or villa | Clay pavers, setts, bound gravel |
| 1930s semi | Block paving, resin-bound |
| Post-war estate semi or bungalow | Block paving, tarmac, resin-bound |
| Detached house on a large plot | Block paving, tarmac with a paved border, gravel |
| Village house in a conservation area | Gravel, setts, clay pavers |
These are starting points, not rules. The ground, the slope, the kerb and your budget all play a part.
The kerb comes first
Whatever surface you choose, you can't legally drive across the pavement without a proper crossing. In York, new and wider crossings need City of York Council's approval. Apply early, because the council's decision can affect where the drive goes. See our dropped kerbs page.
What we'll ask when we visit
- Which cars, vans or caravans will use the drive, and how often.
- Whether anyone needs level access to the door.
- What's there now and what needs to come up.
- How the plot slopes and where the water goes today.
- Whether you're in a conservation area or near a listed building.
With those answers and a test hole, we can recommend a surface and give a fixed quote.