---
title: "Block Paved Front Driveway, Gloucester (2022) | Solid Ground Paving"
description: "Case study: a Gloucester front driveway in red herringbone block paving with a charcoal border, haunched edge restraint and a diamond feature."
canonical: https://solidgroundpaving.co.uk/projects/block-paved-front-driveway-gloucester
url: https://solidgroundpaving.co.uk/projects/block-paved-front-driveway-gloucester.md
section: "Projects"
date_published: 2026-08-06
date_modified: 2026-08-06
author: Solid Ground Paving
robots: noindex
---

# Block paved front driveway, Gloucester

A tired concrete apron replaced with a full block paved driveway: dug out to formation, edge restraints haunched in concrete, 45° herringbone in the field and a charcoal border tying the whole thing to the pavement line.

## Key facts

- **Town:** Gloucester
- **Year:** 2022
- **Surface:** Red concrete blocks, charcoal border
- **Pattern:** 45° herringbone with diamond feature

## Why is herringbone used on driveways instead of stretcher bond?

Herringbone interlocks in two directions, so a braking or turning car cannot push the blocks out of line. Stretcher bond looks tidy on a path but creeps under vehicle load, which is why older driveways show rutted, wandering joints.

## What stops the edges spreading over time?

A concrete-haunched edge restraint on every open side. Without it the outer courses slide outward, joints open and the whole field loosens. The edge course does more structural work than any other part of a block driveway.

- Excavated to formation, not laid over the old concrete
- Edge restraints bedded and haunched in concrete
- Kiln-dried sand vibrated into the joints in two passes

## Do I need planning permission for a front driveway?

In England, a front driveway over five square metres must be permeable or drain to a soakaway within the property, otherwise planning permission is required. We build to that standard by default rather than leaving it for you to discover later.

## Questions and answers

Q: Will the red colour fade?
A: Concrete blocks lighten slightly over the first couple of years as the surface weathers, then hold. It affects the whole area evenly.

---

Human-readable version of this page: https://solidgroundpaving.co.uk/projects/block-paved-front-driveway-gloucester


## Site records

- Photograph: 45° herringbone in the field, charcoal border course and a centred diamond feature.
  - Description: Red herringbone block paved driveway with charcoal border and diamond feature in Gloucester
  - File: https://solidgroundpaving.co.uk/__l5e/assets-v1/15014ef0-7826-4b0c-b14e-de5412837321/block-paving-red-driveway.jpg