Driveways, Patios & Brickwork in Sittingbourne, Faversham & Swale

Building in Swale: what to know

Sittingbourne homeowners often want a smarter driveway and a patio that works with a family garden. In Faversham, the priority is usually brick and paving that respects the town's historic character. On Sheppey, exposure to wind and salt air shapes the choice of fencing and finishes.

• London Clay, brickearth and chalk

  North Swale and the whole of Sheppey sit on London Clay, which is slow-draining and moves with the seasons — Sheppey's northern cliffs are well known for slipping. Around Sittingbourne and Faversham there are deposits of brickearth, the material that fed the area's brickfields, over chalk that rises into the Downs to the south. On clay we allow extra depth for the sub-base and design proper falls and drainage; on the chalk slopes, drainage is easier but levels need care.

• Faversham's historic town

  Faversham has one of the largest conservation areas in Kent and a high number of listed buildings. Front walls, railings and hard standing within it are closely controlled, and yellow stock and soft red brick with lime mortar are typical. We'll match brick and pointing on boundary and garden walls rather than use anything that looks out of place.

• Stock brick country

  The brickfields around Sittingbourne and Faversham supplied the yellow stock bricks used across Victorian London, and that brick is still common in local walls and houses. Where we're repairing or extending old walls, we source a close match in colour and size.

• Sheppey exposure

  Sheerness, Minster and Leysdown face strong winds and salt air off the estuary. We use concrete posts and gravel boards for fencing, galvanised or stainless fixings, and mortar and sealants suited to exposed sites.