Resin driveways in Southampton, smooth and free draining
Resin bound gravel gives a seamless finish that lets water soak through, so a front drive laid on a porous base needs no planning permission. The base underneath is what decides whether it cracks, so it is quoted properly from the start.
- Resin bound, trowelled smooth and permeable
- Porous base: new, or an old one checked first
- A wide range of aggregate colours
Two finishes with the same name
Resin bound means the stones are mixed with resin and trowelled flat. The finish is smooth, the stones are held all the way through, and water can pass through the gaps between them.
Resin bonded means resin is spread on a base and loose stone is scattered over it. It has a textured, gravel look, but the surface is sealed and not permeable.
Check which one a quote describes. For a front drive the difference matters, because a permeable surface avoids the planning permission rule that applies to sealed surfaces over 5 m².
Source: Planning Portal: paving your front gardenResin is only as good as its base
Check the base
An old tarmac or concrete drive can sometimes take resin over it. It has to be sound, stable and free of cracks that will show through.
Or build a new one
Where the old drive is failing, it comes out and a new porous base goes in, such as open graded asphalt on a stone sub-base.
Edges and drainage
Edging is fixed so the resin has a firm line to finish against. Falls are checked so water does not sit at the door.
Mix and lay
Resin and dried aggregate are mixed in batches and trowelled to an even depth, usually in one day in dry weather.
What a resin driveway costs
Typical installed prices from the BestBuilders 2026 guide. Your own price depends on whether the old base can stay.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Resin bound, per m² | £70 to £130 |
| Small drive, about 20 m² | £1,400 to £2,600 |
| Average drive, about 40 m² | £2,800 to £5,200 |
| Large drive, about 70 m² | £4,900 to £9,100 |
| Removing an existing concrete slab, per m² | £15 to £40 |
A permeable surface still needs somewhere to drain
Resin bound lets water through the surface. What happens next depends on the ground. Southampton's flood risk study describes slowly permeable soils across much of the city and clay in the north and south, where water soaks away slowly.
On heavier ground the base may need an outlet, such as a soakaway or a connection to a drain, so water does not sit in it. We look at this on the survey rather than assume the ground will take it.
Source: Southampton City Council: Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, May 2017, section 4.1.3
Resin driveway questions
How much does a resin driveway cost in Southampton?
The BestBuilders 2026 guide gives typical installed prices of £70 to £130 per m² for resin bound. An average 40 m² drive is typically £2,800 to £5,200. Whether an existing base can stay makes a big difference.
Does a resin driveway need planning permission?
Resin bound laid on a porous base is permeable, so a new or replacement front drive of any size needs no planning permission on drainage grounds. Resin bonded is a sealed surface and is treated differently.
What is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded?
Resin bound has the stones mixed into the resin and trowelled smooth, and it can let water through. Resin bonded has loose stones scattered onto a resin coat, giving a textured finish on a sealed surface.
Can resin go over my old tarmac or concrete drive?
Sometimes. The old surface has to be sound, stable and free of cracks that would reflect through, with suitable edges. If it is breaking up, it needs to come out and a new base laid.
Can a resin drive be laid in wet weather?
Resin needs dry conditions to cure properly, so installs are planned around the forecast. Rain on the day usually means moving the date.
Will water drain away through a resin drive?
Through the surface, yes, if it is resin bound on a porous base. Below that, it depends on the ground. Southampton has slowly permeable soils in many areas, so the base may need an outlet such as a soakaway.
Price your resin drive
Send the quick form. If there is an old tarmac or concrete drive, say so: whether it can stay makes a big difference to the price.