Permeable block paving in Falmouth: the local picture
Homes in Falmouth include plenty of semis and detached houses with room for a drive, plus older terraces where parking is tighter.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Falmouth?
In the South West, a permeable block drive usually costs £105–£170 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² drive, that is roughly £5,250–£8,500. 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 |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £105–£170 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 the South West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
Permeable block paving is block paving built so that rainwater drains down through the joints into a deep, open-graded stone sub-base, where it is stored and soaks away slowly into the ground or is piped off. The blocks have small spacers or wider joints filled with fine grit instead of sand.
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
Before we price your permeable block drive
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
Do you need permission in Falmouth?
Falmouth 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.
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.
What you can expect from us
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Permeable paving in Falmouth: questions
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Falmouth?
Our guide for Falmouth is £105–£170 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £5,250–£8,500. Your fixed price follows the survey.
How long does a permeable block drive 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.
Do you cover Truro, Redruth and Camborne?
Yes. We cover Falmouth and the places around it, including Truro, Redruth and Camborne, and the rest of Cornwall.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Falmouth?
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.
Permeable paving near Falmouth
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Cornwall:
- Permeable paving in Truro
- Permeable paving in Redruth
- Permeable paving in Camborne
- Permeable paving in Newquay
- Permeable paving in St Austell
