What to know before a block paved driveway in Northwich
In Northwich, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
The North West is one of the wetter parts of England, so falls, channel drains and permeable options matter more than usual.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Northwich?
Expect block paved driveways in Northwich to come in at around £85–£140 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² double drive usually comes to between £4,250 and £7,000.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £85–£140 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £10–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £350–£1,000 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,000–£3,000 |
Guide figures for the North West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our block paved driveways service
A block paved driveway is a surface of small concrete or clay blocks laid tightly on a bed of sharp sand, held in by a fixed edge and locked together with kiln-dried jointing sand. Laid on a properly dug and compacted sub-base, it carries cars for decades, and a single damaged block can be lifted and replaced without breaking the surface.
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
Before we price your block paved driveway
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Northwich
Northwich is in England, so these rules apply:
In England, paving in front of the house that covers more than 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway inside your boundary. Permeable block paving, or standard blocks laid to fall onto a planted strip, avoid the need for permission in most cases.
Flats and maisonettes, listed buildings, and homes covered by an Article 4 direction can have tighter rules, and conservation areas, National Parks and National Landscapes restrict some permitted development.
A dropped kerb needs your local highway authority's approval (usually the county, unitary, metropolitan or London borough council), and a new access onto an A, B or C classified road also needs planning permission.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
From enquiry to finished paving
Quick details
Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.
On-site check
Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.
Itemised quote
Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.
Laid and finished
Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.
How we work
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Block paved driveways in Northwich: questions
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Northwich?
In England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Northwich?
We bring samples to the survey and suggest blocks and borders that suit the age and brick of the house. Final colour is your choice.
Do you cover Winsford, Warrington and Runcorn?
Yes. We cover Northwich and the places around it, including Winsford, Warrington and Runcorn, and the rest of Cheshire.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
Block paved driveways near Northwich
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Cheshire:
- Block paved driveways in Winsford
- Block paved driveways in Warrington
- Block paved driveways in Runcorn
- Block paved driveways in Widnes
- Block paved driveways in Crewe
- Block paved driveways in Wilmslow
