How much does a cobble-effect block drive cost in West Sussex?
Expect cobble-effect block drives in West Sussex to come in at around £110–£175 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² drive usually comes to between £5,400 and £8,650.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Tumbled or cobble-effect concrete block driveway | £110–£175 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.
Towns we cover in West Sussex
We quote cobble-effect paving in every town across West Sussex, including:
What is included?
Tumbled block paving is concrete block that has been rumbled or treated after making so the edges are rounded and the faces look worn. Cobble-effect ranges add three or more block sizes laid in a random or coursed pattern, which gives the look of old setts without their cost or rough surface.
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.
- Dig-out, sub-base and edging as for any block drive
- Mixed sizes laid to a planned random or coursed pattern
- Colour and size mix chosen on the survey
- Edge cuts blended into curves and corners
- Jointing sand and compaction
What the survey covers
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Rules for front drives in West Sussex
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
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.
Cobble-effect paving in West Sussex: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in West Sussex?
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.
How long does a cobble-effect block drive 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 West Sussex 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.
Do I need planning permission for a cobble-effect block drive in West Sussex?
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.
