Planning a block paved driveway in Bideford
In Bideford, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
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 Bideford?
For Bideford, our guide is £85–£140 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is likely to be £4,250–£7,000. Smaller jobs cost more per square metre because set-up and waste costs do not shrink with the area.
| 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 does a block paved driveway involve?
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.
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
What the survey covers
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
Planning and kerb rules in Bideford
Bideford 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
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.
What you can expect from us
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
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 Bideford: questions
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Bideford?
Our guide for Bideford is £85–£140 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is usually about £4,250–£7,000. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Bideford?
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.
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 Bideford?
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.
Block paved driveways near Bideford
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Devon:
