How much does a permeable block drive cost in County Antrim?
Guide price in County Antrim: £100–£160 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² drive at about £5,000–£8,100. These are Northern Ireland guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £100–£160 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.
Towns we cover in County Antrim
Choose a town for local prices and details for permeable paving:
What is included?
It is the straightforward way to pave a front garden without sending rain into the road, which matters because in England a non-permeable front surface over 5 m² that does not drain to a permeable area within the property needs planning permission, and in Wales any new front surface must be permeable or drain within the property. The build is different from a standard drive from the ground up, so it has to be designed as permeable rather than just using different blocks.
Dropped kerbs in Northern Ireland go through DfI Roads, so we build that timing into the plan for new drives.
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
What the survey covers
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
Rules for front drives in County Antrim
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.
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.
Permeable paving in County Antrim: questions
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in County Antrim?
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.
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.
What happens to my old drive?
It is broken out and taken away by skip or grab lorry, listed as its own line on your quote.
Can you match the blocks to my house in County Antrim?
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.
