When it comes to boosting kerb appeal, few upgrades offer the lasting value of a well-installed driveway. In Hampshire specifically, the demand for a professional driveway is on the rise. With houses in Hampshire worth an average of £418,000 and driveways adding up to 10% to your home’s value, you could add up to £41,800 to your home in just a few days. Commercial installations have the potential to add even more, because you’ll attract more customers to your premises and therefore increase your profit margin on a year-by-year basis.
Surfaces Available for Hampshire Driveways
Choosing the right material is critical if you want to get the best driveway possible. Popular driveway options in Hampshire include block paving, which is stylish and versatile. If you want something with excellent drainage and suited to rural properties, gravel is a great choice. Understanding the driveway choices you have is key to making a choice that will benefit you for years to come.
Domestic and Commercial Driveways
Domestic driveways in Hampshire tend to focus on aesthetics and added value. You have more flexibility with domestic driveways, and you only need to seek planning permission if you are installing a non-permeable surface over 5m². Commercial driveways are designed to handle heavier traffic and also need to comply with health and safety regulations. Accessibility standards need to be considered, with drainage systems installed to ensure that flooding is not an issue.
Working with a local company is the best way to ensure you’re meeting the specific regulations in place, as well as the ground conditions you are working with. For example, ground conditions in the South Downs are known for being chalky, lime-rich, and well-draining. Basingstoke, for example, is known for having more clay-dominated terrain, showing how important a local approach is if you want your driveway to stand the test of time.
Hampshire’s Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Hampshire County Council encourages the use of SUDS, or Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. Permeable surfaces like gravel or even block paving both help to reduce the risk of flooding, coupled with an aqua flow subbase and topcoat material, another option would be permeable Tarmacadam with an Aco Channel system which all align with local planning guidance. Good groundwork, including preparing the base and performing proper excavation, is key to ensuring a long-lasting finish. If your driveway doesn’t allow water to drain naturally, planning permission may be required, but that’s something that we can help you navigate.
Key Takeaways
A quality driveway in Hampshire isn’t just about improving the aesthetic look of your property. It’s about compliance and longevity. Whether you want a gravel path for a cottage or a commercial tarmac surface for your business premises, ensuring that you work with a local company is the key to ensuring the success of your installation. Our local specialists can help here, as we have years of experience and can perform even the most complex of installations in record time. You can email us at hello@davidnewnham.builders or phone 07788 438 273 to find out more.
