The Impact of Driveway Length on Property Aesthetics and Your Wallet's Wellbeing

The Impact of Driveway Length on Property Aesthetics and Your Wallet's Wellbeing

A lengthy driveway is a grand statement, often seen in UK's stately homes, rural estates, and sometimes in large city properties too. These driveways serve one purpose - access. If the entrance to a property is far from the actual building, a long driveway provides a convenient way for vehicles to reach the main structure.

The length of the driveway is determined by the property and the surrounding land. John McGinlay, the director of the award-winning driveway specialist company, Paramount Paving, explains that a long driveway will always appear more imposing but is limited by the property's boundaries. If the house is situated 100 meters from the road, for instance, a long driveway is necessary.

However, self-builders may choose to install a longer driveway, even if the plot allows for a shorter one. This deliberate choice can accentuate the building's scale or draw attention to certain architectural features. Nevertheless, this will affect your driveway costs and will reduce the available space for other potential garden ideas.

In the following text, we've gathered insights from a driveway installer, a paving specialist, and a real estate agent to help you create a successful long driveway project, considering factors like driveway drainage, aesthetics, materials, budget planning, and regulatory requirements.

Deciding Your Driveway's Length

When planning a driveway, you need to decide where the driveway will meet the forecourt, a wider paved area adjacent to the home. If multiple vehicles are kept outdoors in your household, you may require a large forecourt shortening the roadway section of your driveway. Conversely, if you have only one vehicle, you can have a long driveway leading to a smaller forecourt.

For reference, the British Parking Association suggests that the standard size for a parking space in the UK is 2.4 meters wide by 4.8 meters long, while 6 meters of maneuvering space is necessary for parking.

When considering a long driveway design, it's essential to think about how it will impact day-to-day activities. Couriers and supermarket delivery drivers may require guidance on reaching the property. Additionally, if electric driveway gates are installed, they should be equipped with an intercom system (ideally with remote connectivity) to facilitate communication with visitors.

It's also a good idea to think about driveway lighting for adequate visibility from the driveway entrance to the forecourt.

Regulations for Driveway Length

Planning permission for driveways is rarely required for laying or lengthening a driveway, provided you're not in a Conservation Area with stricter requirements. However, the driveway must meet Governments' rules on front garden surfacing focused on drainage.

Since 2008, the Government has enforced regulation to help prevent flooding due to excessive paved land. Since then, rainwater from any area over 5 square meters has to be contained on the land where it falls. One possible solution is the use of a permeable surface material like resin, but rainwater can also be dealt with by incorporating drainage into the driveway design.

At the entrance of the driveway, a drain grid should be installed which takes water into an underground container, also known as a soakaway for driveways. The size of the soakaway is determined by the size of the driveway, so a longer driveway will require a more substantial soakaway. However, part of a driveway may drain onto the lawn, so not all sections might require drainage.

When working on a property with public rights of way, such as roads or footpaths, permission from the relevant local authority is always required.

Aesthetics and Materials

A long driveway can serve not only as a practical facility but also an aesthetic feature of a property. A straight driveway can accentuate the symmetry of a building's architecture and surrounding landscape, while a meandering driveway can gradually unveil interesting architectural features.

The chosen driveway materials can significantly influence the overall appearance of the driveway. Isabel Fernandez, director at the tile and stone provider, Quorn Stone, recommends limestone or sandstone cobbles for durability and an impressive welcome to the property.

"These materials provide an attractive aesthetic and are extremely hard-wearing and dense, making them suitable for driveways with heavy vehicle traffic," says Fernandez. "The smaller format of these cobblestones creates a classic and timeless appeal, with popular laying patterns including brick bonds and herringbone, particularly effective at leading the eye along a driveway."

Cobbles are an example of block paving - one of four common materials used to surface driveways.

John McGinlay of Paramount Paving states that apart from traditional tarmac, paving slabs, block paving (the most popular option), and the rising trend of resin, other materials like gravel might be considered.

Budgeting for Driveway Length

The larger the driveway, the more expensive it will be to install and maintain. However, buying materials in bulk can lead to slightly lower prices, as can economies of scale when adding driveway features like lighting. For example, incorporating ten lights into a circuit instead of five might not significantly complicate the project. According to Checkatrade, the average cost of a new driveway ranges from £90 to £120 per square meter, depending on the surface material.

By assessing your intended driveway's size, calculating the square meterage, and comparing these rates, you can determine a ballpark range for your project's budget.

Additional Considerations

A long driveway may enhance a property's value and saleability, especially when it offers privacy, security, and a sense of grandeur. However, it's essential to consider the specific context. For instance, a shared or poorly maintained driveway might deter potential buyers.

In rural or high-end properties, a long driveway can subtly signal status and elevate the perceived value of the home. In urban or compact locations, however, a long driveway could be seen as an inefficient use of space, particularly if it limits the garden size or usable plot.

When designing and building a home, it's important to consider how the driveway design fits with the surrounding land and planned building structure. In hilly or uneven terrain, a long, meandering driveway can provide safer access for vehicular or pedestrian traffic, assuming the property is also large.

In conclusion, careful planning, consideration of regulatory requirements, and thoughtful design are essential for a successful long driveway project.

1. A driveway's length is determined by the property and the surrounding land, with a long driveway appearing more imposing but limited by the property's boundaries.
2. If multiple vehicles are kept outdoors in a household, a large forecourt may be necessary, shortening the roadway section of the driveway.
3. Decisions about a driveway's length should consider day-to-day activities such as access for couriers, supermarket delivery drivers, and the installation of electric driveway gates with intercom systems.
4. Considering driveway lighting for adequate visibility from the driveway entrance to the forecourt is essential.
5. In most cases, planning permission for driveways is not required, except for those in Conservation Areas with stricter requirements, but driveways must meet government rules on front garden surfacing focused on drainage.
6. Since 2008, the Government has enforced regulations on front garden surfacing to help prevent flooding due to excessive paved land.
7. At the entrance of the driveway, a drain grid should be installed to contain rainwater, with a more substantial soakaway required for a longer driveway.
8. When working on a property with public rights of way, such as roads or footpaths, permission from the relevant local authority is always required.
9. A long driveway can serve not only as a practical facility but also an aesthetic feature of a property, with materials like limestone or sandstone cobbles providing an attractive aesthetic and durability.
10. The average cost of a new driveway ranges from £90 to £120 per square meter, depending on the surface material, with economies of scale when adding driveway features like lighting.
11. When designing and building a home, it's important to consider how the driveway design fits with the surrounding land and planned building structure, with a long, meandering driveway providing safer access in hilly or uneven terrain.

Read also: