Driveway Planning Permission in Bromley, Croydon, Sevenoaks (2025)

Not sure if your new driveway will need planning permission in 2025? Whether you’re in Bromley, Sevenoaks, Redhill or nearby, the rules can feel a bit unclear. But don’t worry, this guide will explain everything you need to know about planning permission for driveways across the UK, with real insights for homeowners in South London, Surrey and Kent.

At Smart Surfacing Solutions, we help customers across Croydon, Orpington, Reigate, Westerham, Dartford, and beyond make the right choices for their homes, and stay on the right side of local planning regulations.

Do You Need Planning Permission for a Driveway in the UK?

In most cases, you won’t need planning permission if:

• Your driveway is made of a permeable surface (like resin-bound gravel, porous tarmac, or permeable block paving)
• Or if water drains into a soakaway or lawn rather than a public drain

However, planning permission may be needed if:

• You’re paving over a front garden larger than 5m² using non-permeable materials (like concrete or traditional tarmac)
• You’re altering access to a main road (including creating or widening a dropped kerb)
• Your property is listed or lies in a conservation area

See the UK Planning Portal for national guidance.

What About My Local Area? Rules Can Differ Slightly

Across the areas we cover, we’ve seen different practical considerations that impact whether permission is needed:

South London (Croydon, Streatham, Tooting, Thornton Heath)

In these urban areas, homes often have tight frontages and poor existing drainage. Local authorities tend to enforce rules strictly on:

• Dropped kerbs (must be applied for and paid for separately)
• Run-off water not reaching public roads

Kent (Sevenoaks, Dartford, Eltham, West Malling, Shoreham)

In semi-rural and village settings, many homes lie within conservation zones or near heritage properties. In these cases:

• You might need planning permission even for permeable surfaces
• You’ll likely need council approval to change access points

Surrey (Reigate, Redhill, Leatherhead, Warlingham, Coulsdon)

These towns often feature larger front gardens, where the 5m² rule becomes relevant. Non-permeable surfacing over that threshold always requires permission.

Useful Council Links

Check the latest guidance for your local authority here:

• Croydon Council – Dropped Kerbs and Driveways
• Sevenoaks Council Planning Advice
• Bromley Council Driveway Rules
• Dartford Planning Portal

Common Mistakes That Could Cost You

1. Using non-permeable tarmac or concrete without drainage
2. Skipping kerb approval and doing DIY dropped kerbs
3. Paving over more than 5m² without permission
4. Not checking conservation status of your property or street

Avoid fines or the cost of redoing the work. Always check before starting.

Which Driveway Materials Are Usually Compliant?

Here are some surfaces that typically don’t require permission:

• Resin-bound gravel (fully permeable)
• Porous tarmac
• Permeable block paving with appropriate sub-base

We recommend resin-bound surfacing for many homeowners because it ticks the boxes for compliance and looks great. Find out more about our resin driveways.

What Customers Say Across South London, Kent and Surrey

“Smart Surfacing Solutions made sure we didn’t need planning permission, and they even handled the dropped kerb application for our new resin driveway in Orpington.” – Mr Keeley, Orpington

“We live in a conservation area near Reigate and were unsure what was allowed. These guys knew the rules inside-out.” – Claire, Reigate

Need Help? Speak to Our Team First

At Smart Surfacing Solutions, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners in Banstead, Redhill, West Wickham, Swanley and beyond install stunning new driveways, without breaking planning rules.

Need advice or a free quote? Contact us. Let’s get your project started the right way.

Planning Permission FAQ