A city that needs careful drainage
Anyone who has lived in York for a while knows about the rivers. When the Ouse and the Foss rise, streets in Clifton, Fulford, Huntington and beyond feel it. A driveway that throws all its rainwater onto the road only adds to the problem, and that is one reason the rules on front gardens changed in 2008.
So every driveway we design starts with a simple question: where will the rain go? Often the answer is a porous surface such as resin-bound or gravel, or permeable block paving with an open stone base beneath. Where a sealed surface makes sense, we channel water to a soakaway or planted area inside your boundary.
Respecting York's streets
York has more than thirty conservation areas, from the city centre to villages such as Heslington, Dunnington and the Poppletons. In many of them, the look of front gardens, walls and railings is part of what makes the street special. Clay pavers, granite setts and warm gravels usually sit far better against old brick than bright concrete. Our guide to conservation areas and drainage sets out what may need checking.
From terraces to villages
Victorian terraces in South Bank and the Groves rarely have room to park, but many inter-war semis in Acomb, Dringhouses, Heworth and Tang Hall do, often with an old concrete strip ready to replace. Out in Haxby, Wigginton, Strensall and Copmanthorpe, bigger plots suit wider drives, turning space and longer runs of tarmac or gravel.
Parking off the road
If your kerb isn't already lowered, you'll need City of York Council's agreement before you can drive across the footway. Our dropped kerb page explains how the process works and what the council looks at.
