Driveways in West Bromwich: approvals and local details
Two approvals can apply to a driveway in West Bromwich: 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 Sandwell Council. We design around both.
- Permeable surfaces in West Bromwich help reduce surface water running onto the road.
- A driveway should finish well below the damp-proof course of the house.
- Manhole covers can be raised, lowered or swapped for recessed trays to match the new level.
- Postcode districts
- B70, B71
- Planning and building control
- Sandwell Council
- From our West Bromwich base
- Our home town
Options to consider in West Bromwich
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.
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.
Guide prices for West Bromwich
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 West Bromwich address.
Questions about driveways in West Bromwich
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.
How do I book a survey in West Bromwich?
Send the form on this page, use the guide-price tool or call 0800 088 6248 free. We'll ask a few questions about your driveway and arrange a time to visit.
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.
Will I need permission from the council in West Bromwich?
Only for a new or widened dropped kerb, which needs consent from Sandwell Council, or for a non-permeable surface over 5 m² that drains to the road, which needs planning permission from Sandwell Council.
Close to West Bromwich
More services in West Bromwich
- Rendering in West Bromwich
- Painting and decorating in West Bromwich
- Patios in West Bromwich
- House renovations in West Bromwich
- uPVC windows in West Bromwich
- Wet rooms in West Bromwich
Levels, drainage and the kerb all get checked before we quote, so book a free driveway survey in West Bromwich.