Block paved driveway extensions in Cambridge: the local picture
Cambridge 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.
Flat ground across much of the East means falls have to be built in carefully so water does not sit on the drive.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Cambridge?
Guide price in Cambridge: £95–£160 per m² including VAT, which puts a 15 m² extension at about £1,650–£2,700. These are East of England guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £95–£160 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,050–£3,150 |
Guide figures for the East of England, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What does a driveway extension involve?
The hard part is the join. Blocks from the same range can differ in shade from a batch made years ago, and older blocks have weathered, so the survey looks at whether a close match is possible, whether lifting and re-mixing some existing blocks will help, or whether a deliberate border or contrasting panel will look better than a near-miss.
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
Before we price your driveway extension
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
Rules for front drives in Cambridge
Cambridge 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
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
How we work
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Drive extensions in Cambridge: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Cambridge?
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 driveway extension in Cambridge?
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 driveway extension 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.
Drive extensions near Cambridge
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Cambridgeshire:
- Drive extensions in Newmarket
- Drive extensions in Ely
- Drive extensions in Huntingdon
- Drive extensions in St Neots
- Drive extensions in March
