Patio and driveway
Building regulations
Generally a new driveway or patio area does not require building regulations approval.
However, you will need to make sure that any alterations do not make access to the dwelling any less satisfactory than it was before. So, for example, changing the level to introduce steps where none existed before would be a contravention of the regulations.
General guidance on the performance expected of materials and building work in order to comply with the building regulations and practical examples and solutions on how to achieve compliance for some of the more common building situations can be found in the approved documents1 section.
Read useful advice from the Health and Safety Executive about Getting your project done safely.2
Things to consider
You may find it helpful to use the following third-party commercial service to plan your home improvement project:
This link will take you to information about their services.
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator
Find a Trade Professional
Use our partner directories from CIAT, FMB or RTPI to find an chartered architectural technologist, builder or planning consultant to help with your project or development.
Find a professional (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional)
Find a professionalUseful links
Make an application (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/app/applications)
Make an applicationStudio Charrette planning consultancy calculator (https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/home-improvement/planning-consultancy-calculator)
Studio Charrette planning consultancy calculator- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/applications/building-control-applications/building-control/approved-documents
- https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/external-walls/getting-your-job-done-safely