Planning a permeable block drive in Selby
In and around Selby, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Sloping drives are common in parts of Yorkshire, which affects falls, steps and drainage at the bottom of the drive.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Selby?
In Yorkshire and the Humber, a permeable block drive usually costs £95–£155 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² drive, that is roughly £4,750–£7,650. Your exact price depends on what the survey or your photos show, and is fixed in writing before anything is booked.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Permeable block paving driveway | £95–£155 per m² |
| Breaking out an old surface | £9–£35 per m² |
| Edging or kerb, bedded and haunched | £18–£45 per metre |
| Typical channel drain run | £320–£900 |
| Dropped kerb (vehicle crossover) construction | £900–£2,700 |
Guide figures for Yorkshire and the Humber, 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.
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
What we check on a Selby survey
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Rules for front drives in Selby
Selby 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
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.
How we work
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Permeable paving in Selby: questions
Do you cover York, Harrogate and Goole?
Yes. We cover Selby and the places around it, including York, Harrogate and Goole, and the rest of North Yorkshire.
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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Selby?
Our guide for Selby is £95–£155 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £4,750–£7,650. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Selby?
In England, a front drive over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your boundary. Ask us on the survey if you are unsure.
Permeable paving near Selby
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across North Yorkshire:
- Permeable paving in York
- Permeable paving in Harrogate
- Permeable paving in Goole
- Permeable paving in Pontefract
