Planning a permeable block drive in Strabane
Around Strabane, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
Wet winters in Northern Ireland make falls, edge restraints and full joints especially important.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Strabane?
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.
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
What we check on a Strabane survey
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
Planning and kerb rules in Strabane
Strabane 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.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Permeable paving in Strabane: questions
Do you cover Omagh and Dromore?
Yes. We cover Strabane and the places around it, including Omagh and Dromore, and the rest of County Tyrone.
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Strabane?
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.
Is the survey in Strabane 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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Strabane?
Our guide for Strabane 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.
Permeable paving near Strabane
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across County Tyrone:
