What to know before a permeable block drive in Heston
In Heston, many front gardens have already been paved once, so new paving often starts with breaking out the old surface.
Front gardens in much of London are short, so parking depth and the dropped kerb usually decide whether a drive is possible.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Heston?
Most permeable block drive quotes in London fall within £125–£205 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² drive would usually be about £6,300–£10,200, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £125–£205 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £12–£50 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £25–£60 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £420–£1,200 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,200–£3,600 |
Guide figures for London, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
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.
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
What we check on a Heston survey
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
Rules for front drives in Heston
Heston 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.
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
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.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Permeable paving in Heston: questions
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 Heston?
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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Heston?
Our guide for Heston is £125–£205 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £6,300–£10,200. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Is the survey in Heston 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 Heston
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Greater London:
- Permeable paving in Hounslow
- Permeable paving in Southall
- Permeable paving in Hayes
- Permeable paving in Feltham
- Permeable paving in Greenford
- Permeable paving in Acton
