Resin bound driveways in Bletchley.

Bletchley's older houses have short fronts and often a narrow concrete drive along one side. Resin cannot go over cracked concrete and last, so on these houses the old strip and the lawn come out, a new porous base goes down over 200mm to 250mm of compacted stone, and the resin is trowelled on top in one piece.

On a small front there is often nowhere for rain to go except the road. Resin bound on a porous base lets water soak straight through, which suits a front with no lawn or border left to drain to.

Near St Mary's church in Old Bletchley the conservation area applies. Resin does not break any rule there, but a warm, natural colour sits better with the older streets than a bright one, so Terry brings samples.

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.

The streets around Fenny Stratford, Water Eaton and the station are tight for parking, so skip and van space is agreed with you before day one, with a skip permit if it has to go on the road.