What to know before a block paved driveway in Portsmouth
Across Portsmouth, front gardens range from narrow terrace plots to broad modern drives, and the best block, pattern and drainage choice changes with them.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Portsmouth?
Most block paved driveway quotes in the South East fall within £90–£150 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² double drive would usually be about £4,600–£7,550, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Concrete block driveway, new sub-base | £90–£150 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,100–£3,250 |
Guide figures for the South East, 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.
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Survey, measurements and a written, itemised quote
- Removal of the old surface and soil to the agreed depth, with waste taken away
What we check on a Portsmouth survey
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Portsmouth
Portsmouth 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
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.
How we work
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Block paved driveways in Portsmouth: questions
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Portsmouth?
Our guide for Portsmouth is £90–£150 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² double drive is usually about £4,600–£7,550. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Portsmouth?
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.
How long does a block paved driveway take to build?
Most homes take between three and seven working days, depending on size, the dig and the drainage. Your quote gives the expected duration.
Is the survey in Portsmouth free?
Yes, for new paving here: the survey and written quote are free with no obligation. Repairs and cleaning are usually priced from photos, or from a short visit where needed.
Block paved driveways near Portsmouth
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Hampshire:
- Block paved driveways in Gosport
- Block paved driveways in Fareham
- Block paved driveways in Havant
- Block paved driveways in Waterlooville
- Block paved driveways in Hythe
- Block paved driveways in Southampton
