How much does a permeable block drive cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
For Edinburgh and the Lothians, our guide is £105–£170 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is likely to be £5,250–£8,500. Smaller jobs cost more per square metre because set-up and waste costs do not shrink with the area.
| 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 Scotland, checked 9 November 2026.
Towns we cover in Edinburgh and the Lothians
Choose a town for local prices and details for permeable paving:
- Livingston
- Musselburgh
- Bathgate
- Bonnyrigg
- Penicuik
- Broxburn
- Linlithgow
- Armadale
- Dalkeith
- Tranent
- Whitburn
- Dunbar
- Prestonpans
- Haddington
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.
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within the property whatever its size, so drainage is part of every design.
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
What the survey covers
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
Rules for front drives in Edinburgh and the Lothians
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and the road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. There is no 5 m² threshold: the rule applies whatever the size.
Hard surfaces are not permitted development in a conservation area or within the grounds of a listed building, so planning permission is needed there.
A dropped kerb needs consent from your council as roads authority under section 56 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, and planning permission may also be needed depending on the road.
General guidance, not legal advice. Your survey confirms what applies to your home. See the planning guide.
How it works
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.
Permeable paving in Edinburgh and the Lothians: questions
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
In Scotland, front paving must be porous or drain within your boundary at any size, and permitted development does not apply in conservation areas. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Edinburgh and the Lothians?
Our guide for Edinburgh and the Lothians 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.
Do you cover Livingston, Musselburgh and Bathgate?
Yes. We cover all of Edinburgh and the Lothians, including Livingston, Musselburgh and Bathgate.
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.
