What to know before a permeable block drive in Wellington
In and around Wellington, village-style frontages sit alongside newer cul-de-sacs, so the right block often depends on the age of the house.
Clay ground is widespread in the West Midlands, so the sub-base depth and drainage are checked on every survey.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Wellington?
Most permeable block drive quotes in the West Midlands fall within £105–£170 per m² including VAT. A 50 m² drive would usually be about £5,250–£8,500, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| 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 the West Midlands, 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.
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
What the survey covers
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Rules for front drives in Wellington
Wellington 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
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
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
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.
Permeable paving in Wellington: 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 Wellington?
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.
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Wellington?
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.
Is the survey in Wellington 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 Wellington
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Shropshire:
- Permeable paving in Hadley
- Permeable paving in Telford
- Permeable paving in Newport, Shropshire
- Permeable paving in Shrewsbury
