Permeable block paving in Sandown: the local picture
In and around Sandown, 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.
Work in the Isle of Wight is by arrangement: we confirm availability and any travel charge before a visit, and many jobs can be priced from photos first.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Sandown?
Expect permeable block drives in Sandown to come in at around £115–£185 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² drive usually comes to between £5,650 and £9,200.
| 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 does a permeable block drive involve?
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.
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- 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
What the survey covers
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
Rules for front drives in Sandown
Sandown 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.
From enquiry to finished paving
Send the basics
Postcode, what you need and a rough size. Photos help.
Survey
We measure, check levels, ground and drainage, and talk through blocks and patterns.
Written quote
An itemised quote with the specification, the price and the start date.
The work
Our paving team builds it to the agreed specification and leaves the site swept.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
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.
Permeable paving in Sandown: questions
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Sandown?
Our guide for Sandown 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.
Is the survey in Sandown free?
In the Isle of Wight we cover jobs by arrangement. We will confirm before any visit whether a charge applies, and many jobs can be priced from photos first.
Do you cover Ryde, Newport, Isle of Wight and Cowes?
Yes. We cover Sandown and the places around it, including Ryde, Newport, Isle of Wight and Cowes, and the rest of the Isle of Wight.
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 Sandown
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Isle of Wight:
