Planning a driveway extension in Castlereagh
Homes in Castlereagh include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Castlereagh?
Expect driveway extensions in Castlereagh to come in at around £85–£145 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 15 m² extension usually comes to between £1,450 and £2,450.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £85–£145 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9.50–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £19–£50 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £330–£950 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £950–£2,850 |
Guide figures for Northern Ireland, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
A driveway extension adds paving to an existing drive, usually to fit a second car by taking in part of the front lawn, or to lengthen a drive towards the house or garage. The new section is built on its own sub-base and tied into the old paving so the two act as one surface.
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
What the survey covers
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
Do you need permission in Castlereagh?
Castlereagh is in Northern Ireland, so these rules apply:
In Northern Ireland, a hard surface between the front of the house and the road that covers or replaces more than 5 m² must be porous or permeable, or drain to a permeable area within the property, to be permitted development.
Hard surfaces within the grounds of a listed building need listed building consent. Planning is handled by your district council, so check with its planning office if you are unsure.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland are approved by DfI Roads (the Department for Infrastructure), not the council; check planning separately with the council.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
From enquiry to finished paving
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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.
Drive extensions in Castlereagh: questions
How much does a driveway extension cost in Castlereagh?
Our guide for Castlereagh is £85–£145 per m² including VAT, so a 15 m² extension is usually about £1,450–£2,450. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Castlereagh?
In Northern Ireland, front paving over 5 m² must be porous or drain within your boundary to be permitted development. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Is the survey in Castlereagh 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Castlereagh?
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.
Drive extensions near Castlereagh
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across County Antrim:
- Drive extensions in Belfast
- Drive extensions in Newtownabbey
- Drive extensions in Lisburn
- Drive extensions in Carrickfergus
- Drive extensions in Ballyclare
- Drive extensions in Antrim
