Planning a driveway extension in Linlithgow
Around Linlithgow, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within the property whatever its size, so drainage is part of every design.
In Scotland block paving is often called monoblock; it is the same thing, and the same rules for the base, edging and drainage apply.
How much does a driveway extension cost in Linlithgow?
In Scotland, a driveway extension usually costs £90–£150 per m² including VAT. For a 15 m² extension, that is roughly £1,550–£2,600. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Driveway extension in block paving | £90–£150 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 Scotland, 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.
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- 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
- 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
What we check on a Linlithgow survey
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Planning and kerb rules in Linlithgow
Linlithgow is in Scotland, so these rules apply:
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and the road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. There is no 5 m² threshold: the rule applies whatever the size.
Hard surfaces are not permitted development in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building, so planning permission is needed there.
A dropped kerb needs consent from your council as roads authority under section 56 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, and planning permission may also be needed depending on the road.
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
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
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 Linlithgow: questions
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Linlithgow?
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Is the survey in Linlithgow 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 you cover Bathgate, Broxburn and Livingston?
Yes. We cover Linlithgow and the places around it, including Bathgate, Broxburn and Livingston, and the rest of Edinburgh and the Lothians.
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 Linlithgow
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Edinburgh and the Lothians:
- Drive extensions in Bathgate
- Drive extensions in Broxburn
- Drive extensions in Livingston
- Drive extensions in Armadale
- Drive extensions in Whitburn
- Drive extensions in Penicuik
