Driveways in Walmley

What should you know before starting in Walmley?

A new front driveway in Walmley 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.

Manhole covers can be raised, lowered or swapped for recessed trays to match the new level.
Fresh tarmac and resin need time to harden before cars drive on them.
A driveway should finish well below the damp-proof course of the house.

Postcode district: B76
Planning and building control: Birmingham City Council
From our West Bromwich base: 9 miles

Which options suit homes in Walmley?

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.

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 Walmley?

For a home in Walmley, our guide range is £2,200–£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: usually £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 Walmley address.

Questions about driveways in Walmley

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.

Which postcodes in Walmley do you work in?

We cover B76 and the streets around them. If you're on the edge of Walmley, neighbouring Erdington and Castle Vale are covered too.

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.

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.

Nearby places we cover

More services in Walmley

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