Resin bound driveways in Bedford.

The deeper fronts on the 1930s semis in Brickhill, Putnoe and Goldington have room for a generous sweep of resin. The old concrete comes out first, a new porous base is laid over 200mm to 250mm of compacted stone, and the resin goes on in one seamless piece.

Plenty of Bedford fronts are gravel today. The council asks for 5m of solid surface from the boundary before any gravel, and for no water to drain across the pavement; resin is solid and lets rain soak through, so it deals with both at once.

In the town centre conservation area, along the Embankment and in villages such as Biddenham and Elstow, Terry checks what the council expects before a colour is picked.

Usually no planning is needed when resin is laid on a new permeable base or drains to your own garden. On an existing solid base draining to the road, over 5 square metres can need permission. Terry checks this on the visit.

Controlled parking zones near the town centre and station mean the van and skip permit are arranged before the start date.

Great Denham and Wixams, the new-build areas, have short block drives. Resin can replace one where you want a single smooth finish, though if more space is all you need, extending the block is usually better value.