Driveways in Selly Oak: approvals and local details
Two approvals can apply to a driveway in Selly Oak: planning permission, if more than 5 m² of front garden is covered with a non-permeable surface that drains to the road, and dropped-kerb consent from Birmingham City Council. We design around both.
- A driveway should finish well below the damp-proof course of the house.
- Paving more than 5 m² of front garden needs planning permission unless the surface is permeable or drains to your own land.
- Resin-bound surfacing is only permeable when it's laid on a permeable base.
- Postcode district
- B29
- Planning and building control
- Birmingham City Council
- From our West Bromwich base
- 6 miles
Which option fits your home?
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 Selly Oak?
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 Selly Oak address.
Questions about driveways in Selly Oak
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.
Do you cover Selly Oak?
Yes. Selly Oak (B29) is about 6 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.
Who approves driveways in Selly Oak?
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.
Driveways near Selly Oak
More services in Selly Oak
- Plastering in Selly Oak
- Patios in Selly Oak
- Fencing and gates in Selly Oak
- Knock-through walls in Selly Oak
- Kitchen fitting in Selly Oak
- Composite doors in Selly Oak
We'll give you a written, itemised driveway quote for your Selly Oak home, fixed for the agreed specification.