Planning a permeable block drive in Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea is a smaller town, and many of its homes have more frontage to work with than city houses, which leaves room for borders and planting.
The South West is wetter than the east of England, so falls and drainage are planned before the pattern is chosen.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Burnham-on-Sea?
Expect permeable block drives in Burnham-on-Sea to come in at around £105–£170 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 50 m² drive usually comes to between £5,250 and £8,500.
| 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 South West, 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.
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- 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
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
Before we price your permeable block drive
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- 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
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
Rules for front drives in Burnham-on-Sea
Burnham-on-Sea 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
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
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.
Permeable paving in Burnham-on-Sea: questions
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.
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Burnham-on-Sea?
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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Burnham-on-Sea?
Our guide for Burnham-on-Sea is £105–£170 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is usually about £5,250–£8,500. Your fixed price follows the survey.
Do you cover Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Clevedon?
Yes. We cover Burnham-on-Sea and the places around it, including Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Clevedon, and the rest of Somerset.
Permeable paving near Burnham-on-Sea
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across Somerset:
- Permeable paving in Weston-super-Mare
- Permeable paving in Bridgwater
- Permeable paving in Clevedon
- Permeable paving in Taunton
- Permeable paving in Nailsea
- Permeable paving in Portishead
