Block paved driveway extensions in Holywood: the local picture
Around Holywood, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
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 Holywood?
Guide price in Holywood: £85–£145 per m² including VAT, which puts a 15 m² extension at about £1,450–£2,450. These are Northern Ireland guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 you get with our drive extensions service
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.
- Matching options: same range, re-mixing old and new, or a planned contrast
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
- Dig-out and sub-base for the new area
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
What the survey covers
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- 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)
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Rules for front drives in Holywood
Holywood 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.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Drive extensions in Holywood: questions
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.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Holywood?
Our guide for Holywood 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 Holywood?
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.
Do you cover Dundonald, Newtownards and Bangor, County Down?
Yes. We cover Holywood and the places around it, including Dundonald, Newtownards and Bangor, County Down, and the rest of County Down.
Drive extensions near Holywood
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across County Down:
- Drive extensions in Dundonald
- Drive extensions in Newtownards
- Drive extensions in Bangor, County Down
- Drive extensions in Comber
- Drive extensions in Carryduff
- Drive extensions in Donaghadee
