Driveways in Perry Barr: approvals and local details
For driveways in Perry Barr, 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.
- Permeable surfaces in Perry Barr help reduce surface water running onto the road.
- A driveway should finish well below the damp-proof course of the house.
- Postcode district
- B42
- Planning and building control
- Birmingham City Council
- From our West Bromwich base
- 4 miles
Choices to weigh up in Perry Barr
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.
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.
How much should you budget in Perry Barr?
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. Your fixed price for the agreed specification follows a free survey at your Perry Barr address.
Your questions answered
How much does a new driveway cost?
In the West Midlands, a typical 40–50 m² driveway usually costs around £2,200–£4,800 in gravel or tarmac, £4,500–£7,500 in block paving and £5,000–£8,500 in resin-bound, including dig-out, sub-base, edging and drainage. Larger areas, slopes, walls and extra drainage cost more. The council's dropped kerb charges are separate and vary by council.
Do you cover Perry Barr?
Yes. Perry Barr (B42) is about 4 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 should I sort out before the work starts?
If you need a dropped kerb, apply to the council early, because it can take weeks. Move cars, bins and pots off the area, and let neighbours know about the skip and noise. If you know where drains, cables, gas pipes or outside taps run, tell us at survey.
Who approves driveways in Perry Barr?
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 Perry Barr
- Fencing and gates in Perry Barr
- Painting and decorating in Perry Barr
- Patios in Perry Barr
- Bi-fold and patio doors in Perry Barr
- Porches in Perry Barr
- Kitchen makeovers in Perry Barr
Email sales@skjhomeimprovements.co.uk with your address in Perry Barr and roughly how many cars you need to park.