Planning a block paved driveway in Gillingham
Across Gillingham, 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 Gillingham?
In the South East, a block paved driveway usually costs £90–£150 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² double drive, that is roughly £4,600–£7,550. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| 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 does a block paved driveway involve?
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.
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Edge restraints or kerbs bedded and haunched in concrete
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
- 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
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
Planning and kerb rules in Gillingham
Gillingham 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.
How it works
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.
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.
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.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Block paved driveways in Gillingham: questions
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 Gillingham?
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 Rochester, Strood and Gravesend?
Yes. We cover Gillingham and the places around it, including Rochester, Strood and Gravesend, and the rest of Kent.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Gillingham?
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 Gillingham
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Kent:
- Block paved driveways in Rochester
- Block paved driveways in Strood
- Block paved driveways in Gravesend
- Block paved driveways in Maidstone
- Block paved driveways in Sittingbourne
- Block paved driveways in Dartford
