DRIVEWAYS
by Hinchliffe.
Driveways by Hinchliffe — Engineered Driveway Specialists
RESIN, TARMAC, BLOCK, GROUNDWORKS and COMMERCIAL — five specialist divisions under one parent brand, engineered from the sub-base up. Structure first. Surface second.
What sits under your driveway matters more than what sits on top.
Most driveway failures — cracking, sinking, pooling water, tired edges within two winters — are ground failures, not surface failures. We engineer excavation depth, geotextile membranes, structural sub-bases and drainage first. The surface is the last thing we install, not the first thing we sell.
See how we buildExcavation to spec
Dug to depth for the load — not to a shortcut.
Structural sub-base
Engineered structural sub-base designed to suit loading, drainage and existing ground conditions.
Drainage engineered in
SUDS-compliant permeable systems where required.
Guaranteed installs
Approved-installer workmanship warranty on every job.
Five divisions. One standard.
RESIN by Hinchliffe
Engineered Resin Bound Systems
Resin driveways, patios, pathways and overlays — permeable, SUDS-compliant, monolithic.
TARMAC by Hinchliffe
Engineered Asphalt & Tarmac Systems
Domestic driveways, private roads, farm roads, estate roads and car parks.
BLOCK by Hinchliffe
Premium Block Paving Systems
Block driveways, courtyards, premium paving, borders and decorative features.
GROUNDWORKS by Hinchliffe
Engineered Ground Solutions
Excavation, foundations, drainage, site preparation and earthworks.
COMMERCIAL by Hinchliffe
Commercial Surface Systems
Car parks, industrial yards, commercial resin, highways, schools and public realm.
Every Hinchliffe project follows the same engineering process.
See how the system is built- 01
Initial enquiry
We take your brief — site, use, timescales and any drainage or access constraints.
- 02
Site assessment
First site visit to understand ground conditions, levels, access and existing construction.
- 03
Measured survey
Accurate site measurements, levels and photographic record to underpin the design.
- 04
Ground engineering report
CAT4 utility scan, sub-base and drainage strategy specified to loading and ground conditions.
- 05
Fixed proposal
Fully itemised written quotation — no ambiguity, no variations mid-project.
- 06
Construction
Built by our own crews to the Hinchliffe Engineered Surface System™ — engineered, not improvised.
- 07
Completion inspection
Final quality inspection, defects check and formal client handover with aftercare guidance.
- 08
Guarantee
5-year workmanship guarantee plus manufacturer warranties on approved systems.
Engineered permeable construction, designed to BS 7533 principles.
BS 7533 is the British Standard for the structural design and installation of pavements constructed with clay, concrete or natural stone units — and its principles govern every layer beneath a Hinchliffe surface. It's why our driveways stay flat, drain properly and hold their line long after cheaper installs have rutted, sunk or ponded.
Designed for the load, not guessed
Sub-base depth and construction are specified against actual vehicle loading, CBR of the subgrade and expected use — not a one-size-fits-all 100mm. This is the core BS 7533 principle: the pavement is engineered, not assumed.
SUDS-compliant permeable build-up
For resin, we use an engineered Type 3 open-graded permeable sub-base with geotextile separation, allowing surface water to infiltrate through the structure — meeting SUDS guidance and eliminating standing water and edge run-off.
Correct laying course & bedding
Block and natural stone are laid on the correct bedding and jointing materials specified in BS 7533 — not sharp sand shortcuts — so units lock together, transfer load evenly and resist rotation, rocking and joint failure.
Edge restraint & containment
Every pavement is only as strong as its edges. Engineered haunched edge restraints, kerbs and transitions stop lateral movement — the number-one failure mode on non-engineered driveways.
Falls, drainage & interception
Levels, cross-falls and linear or point drainage are designed in from the survey stage. Water is intercepted and directed — not left to find its own way across the surface or into the sub-base.
Compaction to specification
Each layer is placed at the correct depth and compacted to specification with the right plant. Under-compacted or over-thick lifts are the hidden cause of settlement — we don't cut that corner.
Why this protects your driveway long-term
Cracking, ponding, sinking wheel tracks, lifting blocks and resin failure almost always trace back to one thing: the layers under the surface weren't engineered. By designing and constructing to BS 7533 principles — correct sub-base, correct bedding, correct edges, correct falls, correct compaction — a Hinchliffe driveway carries load, sheds water and stays true for decades, not seasons. That's the engineering behind the premium, and the reason our workmanship guarantee stands behind every install.
Compare permeable vs non-permeable drivewaysPermeable vs non-permeable driveways.
A clear engineer's guide to resin bound permeability, Type 3 vs Type 1 sub-bases, UK planning rules, SUDS compliance and when non-permeable construction is still the right specification.
Cheshire & the North West
Headquartered in Sandbach, we cover Cheshire, South Manchester and the surrounding North West.
Work that earns referrals.
"Dan and the team were professional from start to finish. The workmanship was outstanding and the driveway has completely transformed our home. Highly recommend."
"Excellent communication throughout the project. Everything was completed exactly as promised and to a very high standard."
"The attention to detail and quality of the finish exceeded our expectations. A genuinely premium service."
"We were impressed with the engineering approach, professionalism and cleanliness throughout the installation. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Hinchliffe Surfacing."
Questions homeowners ask us.
What areas do you cover?
We're based in Sandbach and cover Cheshire, South Manchester and the wider North West — including Crewe, Nantwich, Knutsford, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Macclesfield and Northwich.
Are you an approved installer?
Yes — Vuba Approved Installer for resin bound systems and Brett Approved Installer for block paving. Both come with manufacturer-backed workmanship warranties.
Do I need planning permission?
In most cases no — as long as the surface is permeable (like resin bound) or drains to a permeable area on your property. We handle this as part of every site assessment.
How long does installation take?
A typical residential driveway takes 5–10 working days including excavation, sub-base, drainage and surfacing. Larger jobs are quoted with a fixed schedule.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes. Every install includes our workmanship guarantee, and Vuba/Brett accredited systems carry manufacturer material warranties on top.
Do you provide written quotes?
Always. After the free site assessment you receive a fully itemised written quote — excavation depth, sub-base spec, drainage design and surface — with no obligation.
What is BS 7533 and why does it matter?
BS 7533 is the British Standard for structural pavement design. It governs how every layer beneath the surface is engineered — sub-base, bedding, drainage, edges and compaction. A driveway built to BS 7533 principles carries load properly and resists the sinking, cracking and ponding that cheap installs suffer.
What makes a driveway SUDS compliant?
A SUDS-compliant surface lets rainwater infiltrate naturally rather than running off. Resin bound on a Type 3 permeable sub-base with geotextile separation is the Hinchliffe approach — and it usually means no planning permission for front-garden driveways over 5 m².
Will a permeable driveway really last longer?
Yes. Water is the main enemy of any driveway. By engineering drainage through the structure rather than across it, we prevent the freeze-thaw damage, sub-base weakening and edge lifting that shorten the life of non-engineered drives.
Do you build to the same standard on every surface?
Yes. The Hinchliffe Engineered Surface System™ is the methodology beneath every resin, tarmac, block and commercial project we install. The surface changes; the engineering underneath doesn't.
Ready to build something that lasts?
Book a free, no-obligation site assessment. We'll walk your project, test the ground and send you a fixed, itemised written quote.