The national Permitted Development rule applies across Medway — permeable surfacing or under 5m² of impermeable draining to soft landscaping needs no permission. Conservation areas in Rochester (around the Castle and Cathedral precinct) and parts of historic Chatham carry Article 4 directions that remove those rights, so Medway Council's conservation-area map is the first stop before ordering materials. 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.

Medway is a unitary authority, so dropped-kerb applications are handled by Medway Council directly — not by KCC as with the rest of Kent. A £331.40 inspection fee is payable at application and is non-refundable if the application is declined, and construction must be carried out by an approved contractor from Medway's approved list (Volker Highways typically). We factor the different process and lead time into every Medway quote.

Medway ground conditions split sharply between the chalk of the North Downs — free-draining and ideal for permeable driveways around Chatham's hilltops and the Hoo peninsula — and river alluvium along the valley floor through Rochester, Strood and Gillingham. Alluvium has poor bearing capacity and a high water table, which typically forces a raised threshold, thicker sub-base and piped drainage rather than a soakaway. We confirm the ground type on site before finalising any Medway spec.