Do I need planning permission for a driveway in Bexley?
Bexley falls under the London Plan, which in practice pushes every front-garden scheme toward SuDS-compliant permeable surfacing — permeable block paving, resin-bound or gravel need no planning permission at any size, but impermeable surfaces over 5m² do. Bexley's conservation areas (such as Old Bexley, Lamorbey and Bexleyheath Broadway) carry Article 4 directions that remove those permitted rights entirely, so a conservation-area check with Bexley Council should precede any spec decision. Every driveway we install is designed to meet drainage requirements as standard — so in most cases there's nothing extra for you to worry about. If your property has any unusual circumstances, just ask and we'll advise.
How do I apply for a dropped kerb in Bexley?
Unlike the rest of Kent, Bexley is a London borough and handles dropped-kerb applications directly through Bexley Council — not KCC. Expect a £60 non-refundable application fee plus construction costs from £1,750 depending on the size of the crossover, with estimates issued within about three weeks and works typically starting within 14 weeks of payment. There is a separate route for conservation-area properties, and TfL must also be consulted where the frontage meets the A2 or A20 red-route network.
What ground conditions should I expect in Bexley?
Bexley sits on London Clay bedrock with Taplow Terrace gravels typically between 0.8m and 3m below surface. The clay shrinks and swells with seasonal moisture, so we design a deeper sub-base with a geotextile membrane to resist movement; where the gravels are near-surface (common around Crayford and Erith) they drain naturally and suit permeable resin well. Either way, London Plan SuDS rules make permeable surfaces the default specification.