Block Paving vs Resin vs Tarmac vs Gravel: Which Driveway Surface Wins?

Updated 14/09/2026 · 5 min read

Four materials dominate almost every driveway quote in Essex and East London: block paving, resin bound, tarmac and gravel. Each one trades off differently on cost, appearance, maintenance and how they interact with the planning rules around permeable surfacing.

Block paving

The most design-flexible option — patterns, borders, mixed colours and the ability to repair or lift individual blocks if one is damaged or stained. Permeable block paving systems (with gaps that let water drain through to a permeable sub-base) satisfy the planning exemption without needing a separate application. Costs the most per square metre of the four, but tends to hold its resale appeal well.

Resin bound

A smooth, modern finish that's inherently permeable when installed correctly, since the resin-and-aggregate mix is porous by design. Popular for a contemporary look and for being genuinely low-maintenance — no loose stones to migrate, no individual blocks to lift. Costs sit in the middle of the range, and quality varies more between installers than with block paving, so checking an installer's specific experience with resin systems matters more here.

Tarmac

The cheapest and fastest option to install, and still a solid, durable choice for a straightforward driveway. Standard tarmac is impermeable, which means the planning exemption doesn't apply automatically — either a permeable tarmac system or drainage to a border/soakaway is needed to avoid a planning application on anything over 5m² (see our planning permission guide).

Gravel

Naturally permeable, cheapest material cost, and the easiest to sidestep planning permission entirely. Downsides are more maintenance (raking, topping up, weed control) and less suitability for very steep driveways, where loose gravel can migrate downhill over time.

A quick comparison

Which one for your property?

If avoiding a planning application matters most, gravel or a genuinely permeable resin or block system are the simplest routes. If design flexibility and long-term resale appeal matter most, block paving tends to win. If budget and speed matter most, tarmac remains hard to beat for a straightforward job.