SuDS compliant resin bound paving
Clearstone resin bound paving is fully SuDS compliant and qualifies for BREEAM credits under the Pol 03 sustainable drainage category. This page is intended for architects, developers, planners and contractors who need to confirm compliance, understand the credit structure or obtain supporting documentation for a planning submission or BREEAM assessment.
How is resin bound paving SuDS compliant?
The UK Government’s Sustainable Drainage Standards (SuDS) require surfaces to be designed and built to reduce flood risk and manage drainage in a responsible and safe manner. Resin bound surfacing satisfies these requirements when laid on an open-grade binder asphalt base.
The resin bound mixture has open voids across the surface, allowing air to flow freely and surface water to filter through the structure and into the sub-base below. Water is not directed to surface drains or soakaways – it disperses naturally through the permeable system, reducing the volume and velocity of run-off entering public drainage infrastructure.
This makes resin bound paving an appropriate choice for driveways, pathways, public realm, tree pits and any application where SuDS compliance is a planning or specification requirement.
What BREEAM credits does resin bound paving qualify for?
Clearstone resin bound porous paving can attain up to three BREEAM credits under the Pol 03: Surface Water Run-Off category. The credit structure is as follows:
1 credit: Surface water run-off – the porous surface avoids, reduces and delays the discharge of rainfall to public sewers and watercourses, reducing the risk and impact of localised flooding.
2 credits: Minimising watercourse pollution – a porous surface captures contaminants including oils and heavy metals as water filters through the sub-base, reducing the volume of polluted run-off entering watercourses.
The total of up to 3 credits is available within the BREEAM assessment framework for projects where sustainable drainage is a requirement. We can provide supporting technical documentation for BREEAM submissions on request.
Using SuDS compliance in a planning application or specification
If you are preparing a planning application or drainage strategy that requires confirmation of SuDS compliance, we can provide the relevant technical documentation including specification sheets, drainage data and installation details.
For BREEAM assessments, we can supply supporting information for the Pol 03 credit submission. Contact our technical team with the details of your project and we will confirm what documentation is available and in what format.
Our full range of specification sheets – covering permeable and non-permeable applications from private driveways through to public car parks – are available to download on the Specifications page.
What does SuDS compliant mean for paving?
SuDS compliant paving meets the UK Government’s Sustainable Drainage Standards – meaning it is designed to reduce flood risk and manage surface water responsibly. For paving to be SuDS compliant it must be permeable, allowing rainwater to drain through the surface and into the ground rather than running off to public sewers or watercourses. Resin bound paving is fully SuDS compliant when laid on an appropriate permeable sub-base.
Does resin bound paving qualify for BREEAM credits?
Yes. Clearstone resin bound paving can attain up to three BREEAM credits under Pol 03: Surface Water Run-Off. One credit is available for reducing surface water run-off; two credits are available for minimising watercourse pollution through natural filtration of contaminants including oils and heavy metals. We can provide supporting documentation for BREEAM submissions on request.
Is resin bound paving suitable for SuDS drainage strategies?
Yes. Resin bound paving is a recognised permeable surface type for inclusion in SuDS drainage strategies. It can be used for private driveways, pathways, public realm, car parks and tree pit applications. The relevant technical specification sheets, drainage characteristics and installation data are available from Clearstone to support drainage strategy documentation.
What is the difference between resin bound and resin bonded in terms of SuDS compliance?
Resin bound paving is permeable and SuDS compliant – water drains through the surface. Resin bonded paving is non-permeable – loose stone is scattered onto a resin-coated base, creating a rough surface that does not allow water to drain through. Resin bonded installations require soakaways or ACO channel drains to manage run-off and are not SuDS compliant. The two products are technically very different despite the similar names.
Need technical documentation for a planning submission or BREEAM assessment?
Get in touch with our technical team and we’ll confirm what we can provide and in what format.