Driveways in Dorridge

Planning your driveway in Dorridge

A new front driveway in Dorridge usually needs no planning permission if it's permeable or drains onto your own land. A new or widened dropped kerb needs separate consent from Solihull Council, as the highway authority.

Resin-bound surfacing is only permeable when it's laid on a permeable base.
Fresh tarmac and resin need time to harden before cars drive on them.
Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.

Postcode district: B93
Planning and building control: Solihull Council
From our West Bromwich base: 14 miles

Options to consider in Dorridge

Block paving

Concrete blocks laid in a pattern on a sand bed over a compacted stone sub-base, held in by edging kerbs. Blocks come in many colours and sizes, and single blocks can be lifted and relaid if a drain needs work. Standard block paving needs drainage planning, because the sand joints alone don't usually let enough water through.

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.

How much should you budget in Dorridge?

Prices in Dorridge match the rest of our area: £2,200–£12,000 depending on size and specification. Block paving driveway of about 45 m² for two cars, with dig-out, sub-base, edging and drainage: usually £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. A free survey turns this guide into a fixed, itemised price.

Your questions answered

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.

How do I book a survey in Dorridge?

Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your driveway and arrange a time to visit.

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.

Does Solihull Council need to approve my driveway?

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

Nearby places we cover

Other work we do in Dorridge

We'll give you a written, itemised driveway quote for your Dorridge home, fixed for the agreed specification.