Planning a block paved driveway in Truro
Around Truro, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Truro?
Most block paved driveway quotes in the South West fall within £85–£140 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² double drive would usually be about £4,250–£7,000, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 South West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
We build block drives for homeowners from scratch: digging out the old surface, setting edge restraints in concrete, building and compacting the sub-base, screeding the laying course, laying the pattern, cutting in the edges and vibrating the blocks into the sand. Every quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness, the edging, the falls and where the water goes.
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
Before we price your block paved driveway
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Planning and kerb rules in Truro
Truro 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.
What happens next
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Block paved driveways in Truro: questions
Do you cover Falmouth, Redruth and Newquay?
Yes. We cover Truro and the places around it, including Falmouth, Redruth and Newquay, and the rest of Cornwall.
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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Truro?
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 I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Truro?
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.
Block paved driveways near Truro
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Cornwall:
- Block paved driveways in Falmouth
- Block paved driveways in Redruth
- Block paved driveways in Newquay
- Block paved driveways in Camborne
- Block paved driveways in St Austell
