The national Permitted Development rule (permeable surfacing, or impermeable under 5m² draining to soft landscaping) applies, but most of the Sevenoaks district lies within the Kent Downs National Landscape (AONB) and several streets carry Article 4 directions that remove those permitted rights. If you are inside the AONB boundary or an Article 4 zone, Sevenoaks District Council will expect a full application with material choices justified against local landscape character. 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.

Sevenoaks dropped kerbs are applied for through Kent County Council: £500 application fee (£231 refunded if declined) plus £76 per additional inspection, with a 28-day target and two-year approval validity. KCC specifies a 4.8m minimum depth, 2.4m minimum width and at least 10m clearance from a junction — tighter than many Sevenoaks frontages allow, so we survey feasibility before you submit. Classified-road applications need Sevenoaks DC planning sign-off first.

Sevenoaks sits across the Lower Greensand Ridge (Folkestone and Hythe Beds) with Gault Clay in the Vale of Holmesdale to the north. Sandy greensand plots are almost purpose-built for permeable resin-bound driveways; Gault plots behave like Maidstone's clay and need a SuDS-compliant drainage strategy rather than relying on infiltration. We dig a trial pit before quoting anywhere near the ridge/clay boundary.