What to know before a permeable block drive in Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Ballymoney?
In Northern Ireland, a permeable block drive usually costs £100–£160 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² drive, that is roughly £5,000–£8,100. 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 | £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. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
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.
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
What we check on a Ballymoney survey
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Rules for front drives in Ballymoney
Ballymoney 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
Quick details
Your postcode and the job. It takes a minute.
On-site check
Measurements, levels against the damp-proof course, ground and drainage.
Itemised quote
Fixed once the specification is agreed, with no vague extras.
Laid and finished
Compacted, jointed and handed back clean.
How we work
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
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.
Permeable paving in Ballymoney: questions
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Ballymoney?
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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Ballymoney?
Our guide for Ballymoney is £100–£160 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £5,000–£8,100. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Ballymoney 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.
Permeable paving near Ballymoney
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across County Antrim:
- Permeable paving in Ballymena
- Permeable paving in Coleraine
- Permeable paving in Portrush
- Permeable paving in Portstewart
