Driveways in Northfield

Driveways in Northfield: approvals and local details

For driveways in Northfield, 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.

Fresh tarmac and resin need time to harden before cars drive on them.
Planning permission is usually needed for a new access onto a classified road.
Permeable surfaces in Northfield help reduce surface water running onto the road.

Postcode district: B31
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: 7 miles

Choices to weigh up in Northfield

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.

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.

Driveways prices in Northfield

Expect to budget between £2,200 and £12,000 depending on size and specification in Northfield. 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 Northfield address.

Questions about driveways in Northfield

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 Northfield?

Yes. Northfield (B31) is about 7 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.

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 Northfield

Levels, drainage and the kerb all get checked before we quote, so book a free driveway survey in Northfield.