Driveways in Erdington

Driveways in Erdington: approvals and local details

A new front driveway in Erdington 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 Birmingham City Council, as the highway authority.

Manhole covers can be raised, lowered or swapped for recessed trays to match the new level.
Planning permission is usually needed for a new access onto a classified road.
Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.

Postcode district: B24
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: 8 miles

Which options suit homes in Erdington?

Permeable block paving

Blocks with wider joints filled with grit, laid on an open-graded stone sub-base that stores rainwater and lets it soak into the ground. Permeable paving meets the front garden rules without planning permission. It costs a little more because of the deeper, specially graded sub-base, and it suits clay soils only with extra design.

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 Erdington?

Guide prices start at £2,200 and run to £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: around £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. Access, parking and the state of what's there now can move the price — the survey settles it.

Driveways in Erdington: common questions

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.

How do I book a survey in Erdington?

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.

What guarantee comes with a new driveway?

The materials, such as blocks, resin and drainage channels, come with their manufacturers' guarantees, and the terms for your driveway are set out in your quote. How long a driveway stays level depends largely on the sub-base, so we name its depth and type in your specification. Keep your quote and paperwork with your house documents.

Does Birmingham City Council need to approve my driveway?

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.

Also covering nearby

Other work we do in Erdington

Email sales@skjhomeimprovements.co.uk with your address in Erdington and roughly how many cars you need to park.