to think block paving would be better than tarmac for a driveway

Pea shingle, with a block edging for neatness/to prevent gravel loss. You can hear would be visitors/intruders long before the Ring doorbell pick them up., Simply water with weedol once a year.
Allows proper drainage without issue.

We have a very large area of block paving (I designed it to have large circle areas and curved lines, granite edging) after having tarmac (horrible stuff and it sweated and when it was very hot it did odd things and looked dull and we had a pipe leak under it, so it had to be broken into and patched, so that was another issue) and it depends how it is done. No puddles or dips after six years, but then the work that was done before the bricks are laid is what makes the difference. We clean once a year (have a disc jet wash so less aggressive on the blocks) and resand if needed, as well as having drainage gulleys and soakaways, to make it environmentally friendly. A few tiny weeds, nothing to write home about, biocide twice a year to deal with moss (we do this and you can buy the commercial stuff, non toxic and easy to apply), as we have a lot of trees, and six years on, minimal upkeep. We searched for a good contractor, got references and he was accredited by the block manufacture and arranged for us to visit others to see his work.

Hi,
that’s for paving a front garden. Replacing an existing drive is normally exempt from TCPA (planning)
I am an expert.
For avoidance of doubt, check with local planning authority. I WISH using impermeable was prohibited. It generally is in new developments.

Tbh anytime I see a big driveway bring done with imprinted concrete I feel like ringing our council to report.I haven't done but they infuriate me.Any area over a certain amount now should be permeable and that isn't. We know all top well living at the bottom of a steep road the impact of surface run off as so many front gardens have been lost for parking and the road drains simply can't cope with heavy rain.There's a newish one that water runs off like a river.And now the paths at the front of our house flood after a downpour. So please consider your neighbours. We have block paving .Already installed when we moved in.I use a patio scraper after rain every now and again to get rid of larger weeds.A bit of moss does no harm .So please use something permeable.

A quick google brings this up;

”Impermeable Materials Over 5m² Need Permission: If your driveway is larger than five square meters and you use impermeable materials like traditional concrete, you'll need planning permission. Front Garden Paving Rules: The discussed rules apply specifically to paving front gardens.”

I am no expert though.

I'm considering a tarmac driveway which has a border of block in a white/grey to frame it. Also having the part nearest our front door, occasionally used for parking as a gravelled off area

Absolutely this. I wish there was a ruling that all new drives and replacement ones had to be permeable. A near neighbour with a huge drive has just subjected us to days of digging, concreting, angle grinding and dust to put in an asphalt/tarmac drive creating massive run-off when it rains.

FYI, a driveway generally does not need planning permission, falling within the General Development Order. Exceptions are Conservation Areas and any area covered by an Article 4 direction. (Not common) On some estates, restrict covenants could apply.

Also do those with a concrete/grass grid have to mow it? We have part of our driveway we go over regularly but other parts that I could imagine getting tall weeds.
I guess when we come to sell the resin would give a better curb appeal for the majority of buyer unfortunately.

Does anyone have grass pavers? I've seen them abroad but never in a domestic environment. I love the idea, as my block paving has totally failed and there are weeds everywhere.

I don’t live my life by whether I can get away with breaking laws. I think about if I should morally do something or not.

What laws?

Lots of companies that do driveways seldom seek/need/bother with planning permission.

And you cannot sit there with a straight face and say you have never flouted laws because you'd be lying.

Councils can see everything with Google Streetmaps/changes to properties etc - I havent ever heard of a case where a council has sought to punish someone for having a concrete drive installed sans planning permission.

If you know of a case, would be pleased for you to share it here so we can see.

As it is, water run off from a concrete drive into the street/gutter is hardly a crime against humanity. Where does all the rainwater go? Yeh, the same gutters/sewer network! 🤦‍♂️

@HelplessSoul in our ever changing world water is indeed everywhere, house flooding has massively increased.
I was also referring to your attitude towards the laws of our land.
I stand by my assessment.

Debate the point, not the person.

Water is everywhere, especially when it rains. 🙄

We have imprinted concrete. Minimal maintenance. We reseal it every year, more so to keep it coloured/shiny. No weeds come through. Only downside is slightly slippy in snow. Resin looks good.

Block paving is lovely and the bits of green you get enhance the look imo. I pull out any big weeds but try to encourage the moss - it's good for biodiversity and softens the whole feel. Who wants some huge expanse of bare concrete/paving/resin - just looks clinical and soulless.

@HelplessSoul wow what a fantastic human you are.

Tarmac is ugly

No its not permeable - its concrete. Water would run off into the street/gutters.

I dont know anyone that has a concrete drive that sought planning permission beforehand.

Couldnt care less about the water run off TBH.

Wow!

@CannotFathome - ours was £15k to do a double width driveway, all up to the front door, path around the side of the house, patio area acrid the back of the house and another path up the back of the garden. It also included digging up all the previous paving / disposal.
We were very happy with the company that did ours.

The problem with the imprinted drives is drainage, and if a section cracks it’s hard to repair without looking obvious.