What to know before a permeable block drive in Hailsham
In and around Hailsham, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Chalk, clay and sandy ground all occur across the South East, so the dig and sub-base depth are set on the survey rather than assumed.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Hailsham?
Guide price in Hailsham: £115–£185 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² drive at about £5,650–£9,200. These are South East guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £115–£185 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£45 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £380–£1,100 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,100–£3,250 |
Guide figures for the South East, 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
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
What the survey covers
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Planning and kerb rules in Hailsham
Hailsham 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.
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
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.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Permeable paving in Hailsham: questions
Do you cover Eastbourne, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea?
Yes. We cover Hailsham and the places around it, including Eastbourne, Seaford and Bexhill-on-Sea, and the rest of East Sussex.
Is the survey in Hailsham 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 Hailsham?
Our guide for Hailsham is £115–£185 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £5,650–£9,200. 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.
Permeable paving near Hailsham
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across East Sussex:
- Permeable paving in Eastbourne
- Permeable paving in Seaford
- Permeable paving in Bexhill-on-Sea
- Permeable paving in Hastings
- Permeable paving in Rottingdean
- Permeable paving in Crowborough
