Planning Permission for Paving Your Front Garden

Thinking of paving your front garden? You'll need to understand the specific regulations that apply. This guide will help you work out if you need planning permission before you start.

When You Might Not Need Planning Permission

Often, you won't require planning permission for your project if:

• You opt for a permeable (or porous) surfacing material – one that naturally allows water to drain through. Examples include gravel, special permeable concrete block paving, or porous asphalt.

• Rainwater from your new paved area is channelled to a lawn or garden border, where it can naturally soak into the ground.

For more detailed information on suitable permeable surfaces, you can consult government publications.

When You Will Need Planning Permission

You'll definitely need to apply for planning permission if any of these conditions apply to your plans:

• You intend to lay a traditional, impermeable driveway – meaning it doesn't allow water to drain through it.

• The total area you plan to cover is more than five square metres.

• Your design does not include provisions for surface water to drain into a permeable part of your garden.

Crucial Information: Please note that the 'permitted development' rules described here are only applicable to houses. They absolutely do not apply in the following situations:

• Flats and maisonettes.

• Converted houses, or houses built under specific ‘permitted development’ rights for:

  • ‘Changes of use’ (Schedule 2, Part 3, Classes G; M; MA; N; P; PA and Q).

  • ‘New Dwellinghouses’ (Schedule 2, Part 20).

• Other types of buildings.

• Areas where an Article 4 Direction, specific local planning conditions, or other restrictions limit standard permitted development rights.

These guidelines exclusively cover your front garden. Other related alterations might require separate permissions. For instance, you could need permission for:

• Changes to existing fences, walls, and gates.

• Installing a dropped kerb for vehicle access (you can find more details in the next section).

Bear in mind that different regulations are in place for patios and driveways that are not part of a front garden.