New Build Driveways
Get the permissions, width, and drainage right before the surface goes down, no costly rework later.
What Goes Wrong
The most common problems come from skipping the planning stage, not the laying stage.
Essex clay moves seasonally; a sub-base under 150mm on uncompacted fill will crack the surface within two winters.
Sub-base specification is set at survey based on actual ground conditions, not a standard depth applied to every plot.
An impermeable front driveway over 5 square metres requires a planning application, many homeowners only discover this after laying.
A resin bound permeable surface satisfies permitted development rules for most frontages, removing the need for a planning application.
Driving over the pavement without a dropped kerb is a highways offence; the application must be approved before surfacing starts.
The dropped kerb application to Brentwood Borough Council is arranged and confirmed before any groundwork begins on site.
Narrow new build plots are common across Essex estates; a driveway under 2.4 metres wide makes daily parking difficult and door access awkward.
The frontage is measured for a practical parking width, typically 2.4 to 3 metres minimum, before any surface or edging is specified.
Scope of Work
From the dropped kerb application through to the finished resin bound surface, each stage is quoted as a separate line item.
Brentwood Borough Council application arranged before groundwork starts, so vehicle access across the pavement is lawful from day one.
Excavation depth and MOT Type 1 sub-base compaction are confirmed on site, accounting for Essex clay movement and new build fill conditions.
Edge restraints are set to define the driveway boundary and hold the resin bound surface in place along every edge.
UV-stable polyurethane resin mixed with natural aggregate, trowelled flat and left to cure, stones locked in, surface drains freely.
Surface fall is set during installation to direct residual water away from the property and satisfy SuDS requirements without a separate soakaway.
Full conversion from lawn or border to driveway.
Sized for one or two cars with door-opening clearance.
Guidance on which surface avoids a planning application.
Every stage priced separately before work begins.
Why Choose Us
A new build frontage has specific planning, drainage, and ground conditions that need the right process from the first visit.
Excavation, sub-base, edge restraints and resin finish are each priced separately, no single combined figure to query later.
The Brentwood Borough Council application is coordinated before groundwork starts, so no stage is delayed by a missing approval.
The resin bound surface specified meets the permeable surface requirement, keeping most frontages within permitted development rules.
Sub-base depth is confirmed at survey for each plot, Essex clay conditions vary, and a site visit sets the right specification.
Enquiries are connected to vetted independent local partners who work on new build frontages across Brentwood and the surrounding area.
The Process
01
Describe the frontage size, what is there now, and how it currently drains so the right specialist can be arranged for your plot.
02
A local resin specialist visits to measure the frontage, assess ground conditions, and quote excavation, sub-base, edging and surface as separate lines.
03
Groundwork, sub-base compaction, edging, and resin bound finish are completed in sequence, with surface fall set and cure time confirmed before handover.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small new build driveway | £3,000-£4,500 |
| Average new build driveway | £4,500-£7,500 |
| Large new build driveway | £7,500-£12,000 |
| New build with full groundwork | £10,000-£15,000 |
Describe the frontage size, what is there now, and how it drains. We’ll arrange a local resin specialist to assess the base and quote every stage separately.