Driveways in Birmingham

Planning your driveway in Birmingham

Two approvals can apply to a driveway in Birmingham: planning permission, if more than 5 m² of front garden is covered with a non-permeable surface that drains to the road, and dropped-kerb consent from Birmingham City Council. We design around both.

Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.
Resin-bound surfacing is only permeable when it's laid on a permeable base.
A driveway should finish well below the damp-proof course of the house.

Postcode districts: B1, B7, B9, B10, B12, B18
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: About 6 miles to the centre

Options to consider in Birmingham

Resin-bound surfacing

Natural aggregate mixed with clear resin and trowelled smooth, giving a tidy, loose-free finish. Resin-bound is permeable only if it's laid on a permeable base such as porous asphalt; laid over solid concrete it isn't. It shouldn't be confused with resin-bonded, where stones are scattered onto a resin coat, which isn't permeable at all.

Gravel with ground grids

Gravel laid over plastic ground grids on a membrane and compacted sub-base. The grids stop the gravel moving into ruts, and the whole surface drains naturally, so it meets the front garden rules. Gravel is the most affordable surface, though it needs occasional raking and topping up, and it's less practical for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

What does your driveway cost in Birmingham?

Expect to budget between £2,200 and £12,000 depending on size and specification in Birmingham. Block paving driveway of about 45 m² for two cars, with dig-out, sub-base, edging and drainage: typically £5,000–£7,200.

Guide prices for driveways
Option	Guide price	Good to know
Gravel or tarmac driveway	£2,200 – £4,800	About 40 m², new sub-base and edging
Block paving driveway	£4,500 – £7,500	About 40–50 m², with drainage or permeable build
Resin-bound driveway	£5,000 – £8,500	About 40–50 m², on a permeable base

Guide ranges include VAT where it applies. Your fixed price for the agreed specification follows a free survey at your Birmingham address.

Before you book in Birmingham

Which driveway surface is best?

It depends on budget, looks and drainage. Block paving is hard-wearing and repairable; resin-bound is smooth, tidy and permeable on the right base; tarmac is good value for larger areas; gravel is the cheapest and drains naturally. A permeable option avoids the need for planning permission on a front garden. We'll show you samples at survey.

Do you cover the whole of Birmingham?

Yes — we cover Birmingham from our West Bromwich base, including Solihull, Sandwell and Walsall. Call 0800 088 6248 or send the form on this page to book a free survey.

Will I be able to park while the work is going on?

Not on the driveway itself for most of the job, so you'll need to park on the street or nearby. We'll need space for a skip or grab lorry and material deliveries, and we'll agree that with you in advance. We keep a safe path to your front door throughout.

Will I need permission from the council in Birmingham?

Only for a new or widened dropped kerb, which needs consent from Birmingham City Council, or for a non-permeable surface over 5 m² that drains to the road, which needs planning permission from Birmingham City Council.

Driveways across Birmingham

Choose your town for local details and postcodes:

Also covering nearby

Other home improvements in Birmingham

Want to see block, resin and gravel samples side by side? Call 0800 088 6248 and we'll bring them to Birmingham.