Planning a block paved driveway in Corby
In Corby, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Block drives laid twenty or thirty years ago are often ready for re-laying rather than replacing, because sound blocks outlast a weak base.
How much does a block paved driveway cost in Corby?
Most block paved driveway quotes in the East Midlands 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 East Midlands, 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.
- Crushed-stone sub-base laid in layers and compacted
- Sharp-sand laying course screeded to falls
- Blocks laid in your chosen pattern, with a contrasting border if wanted
- Cuts at edges, around covers and against the house
- Kiln-dried sand brushed in and the surface vibrated with a plate compactor
What we check on a Corby survey
- 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
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Do you need permission in Corby?
Corby 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.
What you can expect from us
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.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Block paved driveways in Corby: questions
Do you cover Kettering, Market Harborough and Wellingborough?
Yes. We cover Corby and the places around it, including Kettering, Market Harborough and Wellingborough, and the rest of Northamptonshire.
Do I need planning permission for a block paved driveway in Corby?
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 much does a block paved driveway cost in Corby?
Our guide for Corby 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Corby?
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 Corby
Nearby towns we cover for block paved driveways, and block paved driveways across Northamptonshire:
- Block paved driveways in Kettering
- Block paved driveways in Market Harborough
- Block paved driveways in Wellingborough
- Block paved driveways in Rushden
- Block paved driveways in Northampton
