The good news is that you don’t need planning permission to convert a front garden into a drive as long as you stick to one simple rule. It must be a porous driveway! This means that the material you use must be able to pass through rainwater easily, you can use materials such as gravel, permeable block paving, or porous asphalt.

If you are looking to put in a concrete drive or a material that isn’t porous then it is a wise idea to check with your local council before doing so as you may require permission.

The other factor that you will need to consider is access to your new drive is will you require a drop kerb? If so, you must obtain permission from your local council, in some circumstances, you may not need permission at all but it is also a wise idea to check first.

The bottom line is a drive can add a considerable amount of value to your property, with families typically needing more space to park vehicles a drive contributes to the appeal factor of your home.