Before your driveway in Kingstanding
For driveways in Kingstanding, the rules that matter are drainage and access. Permeable paving or a soakaway avoids a planning application, and any change to the kerb goes through Birmingham City Council.
- Before you drive across the pavement, you need the highway authority's consent for a dropped kerb.
- Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.
- Manhole covers can be raised, lowered or swapped for recessed trays to match the new level.
- Postcode district
- B44
- Planning and building control
- Birmingham City Council
- From our West Bromwich base
- 5 miles
Options to consider in Kingstanding
Tarmac
Hot-laid asphalt over a compacted sub-base, finished with a roller and edged with kerbs or setts. Tarmac is quick to lay and good value for larger areas. Standard tarmac is impermeable, so on a front garden it needs to drain to a soakaway or border, or use a porous asphalt mix.
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.
How much should you budget in Kingstanding?
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.
| 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.
Questions about driveways in Kingstanding
How long does it take to build a driveway?
Most front driveways take three to seven days on site, depending on size, dig-out depth and the surface. Block paving takes longest because of cutting and jointing. Resin-bound needs time to cure and fresh tarmac needs to harden, so you may have to wait a day or two before driving on it.
Do you cover Kingstanding?
Yes. Kingstanding (B44) is about 5 miles from our West Bromwich base and inside the area we cover. Call 0800 088 6248 or send the form on this page to book a free survey.
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.
Will I need permission from the council in Kingstanding?
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 Kingstanding
- Plastering in Kingstanding
- Painting and decorating in Kingstanding
- Rendering in Kingstanding
- Double-storey extensions in Kingstanding
- En-suite bathrooms in Kingstanding
- Wet rooms in Kingstanding
Email sales@skjhomeimprovements.co.uk with your address in Kingstanding and roughly how many cars you need to park.