Driveways in Handsworth

Planning your driveway in Handsworth

A new front driveway in Handsworth 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.

Before you drive across the pavement, you need the highway authority's consent for a dropped kerb.
Manhole covers can be raised, lowered or swapped for recessed trays to match the new level.
Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.

Postcode district: B21
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: 2 miles

Which options suit homes in Handsworth?

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.

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.

What does your driveway cost in Handsworth?

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. Your fixed price for the agreed specification follows a free survey at your Handsworth address.

Driveways in Handsworth: common questions

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.

Which postcodes in Handsworth do you work in?

We cover B21 and the streets around them. If you're on the edge of Handsworth, neighbouring Smethwick and Perry Barr are covered too.

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.

Who approves driveways in Handsworth?

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.

Close to Handsworth

Other work we do in Handsworth

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