What to know before a permeable block drive in St Albans
St Albans has everything from short terrace frontages to wide drives on newer estates, so the survey sets the layout and the dig.
Flat ground across much of the East means falls have to be built in carefully so water does not sit on the drive.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in St Albans?
Expect permeable block drives in St Albans to come in at around £110–£180 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² drive usually comes to between £5,500 and £8,950.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £110–£180 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £11–£40 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £20–£55 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £370–£1,050 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £1,050–£3,150 |
Guide figures for the East of England, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our permeable paving service
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.
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
Before we price your permeable block drive
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- 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)
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Do you need permission in St Albans?
St Albans 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
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.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
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.
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Permeable paving in St Albans: 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.
Do you cover Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead?
Yes. We cover St Albans and the places around it, including Harpenden, Hatfield and Hemel Hempstead, and the rest of Hertfordshire.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in St Albans?
Our guide for St Albans is £110–£180 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £5,500–£8,950. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Can you match the blocks to my house in St Albans?
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.
Permeable paving near St Albans
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Hertfordshire:
- Permeable paving in Harpenden
- Permeable paving in Hatfield
- Permeable paving in Hemel Hempstead
- Permeable paving in North Watford
- Permeable paving in Welwyn Garden City
- Permeable paving in Borehamwood
