Planning a block paved driveway in Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
Front gardens in much of London are short, so parking depth and the dropped kerb usually decide whether a drive is possible.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Canary Wharf?
Most block paved driveway quotes in London fall within £100–£170 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² double drive would usually be about £5,100–£8,400, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £100–£170 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £12–£50 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £25–£60 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £420–£1,200 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,200–£3,600 |
Guide figures for London, 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.
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
What the survey covers
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Do you need permission in Canary Wharf?
Canary Wharf 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.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
One point of contact
You deal with one team from survey to sign-off, with work carried out by paving teams working under S&K.
Block paved driveways in Canary Wharf: questions
Do you cover Canning Town, Greenwich and Stratford?
Yes. We cover Canary Wharf and the places around it, including Canning Town, Greenwich and Stratford, and the rest of Greater London.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Canary Wharf?
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.
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.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Canary Wharf?
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 Canary Wharf
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Greater London:
- Block paved driveways in Canning Town
- Block paved driveways in Greenwich
- Block paved driveways in Stratford
- Block paved driveways in Peckham
- Block paved driveways in Islington
- Block paved driveways in Catford
