Patio and driveway

As with any project, it’s important that sustainability is a top consideration for your patio or driveway project. 

Some key sustainability considerations for your patio or driveway might include: 

• Design – design the patio or driveway in a way that causes minimal need for excavation or disruption to the surrounding environment. You could consider incorporating planting areas within or around the patio or driveway to promote biodiversity.  
• Material – select environmentally-friendly materials to build your driveway or patio where possible. Consider using permeable materials which allow rainwater to run into the ground. If using paving tiles, consider leaving small gaps between them to allow for water infiltration and plant growth and using joining materials that allow water to pass through, rather than solid materials like cement. It’s also advisable to use high-quality materials and construction techniques to ensure the patio or driveway's longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements. 
• Maintenance - regularly inspect and maintain the patio or driveway to identify and address issues promptly, preventing larger problems. Remove debris and leaves from permeable surfaces to maintain their effectiveness. 

Consider using renewable energy sources to power your project. You can find out more about this on our common projects pages.

It's vital to ensure that any project-related waste is recycled or reused as much as possible.

You should ensure you talk about sustainability considerations with durability and sustainability considerations with the tradespeople helping you to carry out your project.

You can find a trusted trade person to help you complete your project by using our ‘find a professional’¹ tool. 

1. https://www.planningportal.co.uk/planning/planning-applications/find-a-trade-professional