Planning a driveway extension in Witham
In Witham, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
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 Witham?
In the East of England, a driveway extension usually costs £95–£160 per m² including VAT. For a 15 m² extension, that is roughly £1,650–£2,700. 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 | £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 you get with our drive extensions service
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
- New edging, kerbs or a low retaining edge where the lawn is cut back
- Joint sand, compaction and a clean-down of the old section
- Old edge restraint taken out and the new paving toothed into the old pattern
- Check of the existing drive: block range, thickness, levels and condition
What the survey covers
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Do you need permission in Witham?
Witham 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.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
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.
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.
Drive extensions in Witham: questions
Is the survey in Witham 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 Witham?
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.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway extension in Witham?
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.
Do you cover Maldon, Braintree and Chelmsford?
Yes. We cover Witham and the places around it, including Maldon, Braintree and Chelmsford, and the rest of Essex.
Drive extensions near Witham
Nearby towns we cover for drive extensions, and drive extensions across Essex:
- Drive extensions in Maldon
- Drive extensions in Braintree
- Drive extensions in Chelmsford
- Drive extensions in Colchester
- Drive extensions in Wickford
- Drive extensions in Rayleigh
