Permeable block paving in West Bromwich: the local picture
Across West Bromwich, front gardens range from narrow terrace plots to broad modern drives, and the best block, pattern and drainage choice changes with them.
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 West Bromwich?
Guide price in West Bromwich: £105–£170 per m² including VAT, which puts a 50 m² drive at about £5,250–£8,500. These are West Midlands guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 you get with our permeable paving service
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
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Open-graded crushed stone (no fines) laid and compacted in layers
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
What we check on a West Bromwich survey
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Steps, thresholds and door heights
Rules for front drives in West Bromwich
West Bromwich 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
Tell us about the job
Use the form, the quote tool, WhatsApp or a call.
We take a look
A survey visit, or photos for smaller repair and cleaning jobs.
Price in writing
Every line itemised, including the dig, edging and drainage.
Booked and built
Agreed start date, then the work, the final clean-down and the joint top-up.
Why choose Block Paving Contractors
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
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.
Permeable paving in West Bromwich: questions
How much does a permeable block drive cost in West Bromwich?
Our guide for West Bromwich 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.
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 you cover Smethwick, Wednesbury and Tipton?
Yes. We cover West Bromwich and the places around it, including Smethwick, Wednesbury and Tipton, and the rest of the West Midlands.
Can you match the blocks to my house in West Bromwich?
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 West Bromwich
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across West Midlands:
- Permeable paving in Smethwick
- Permeable paving in Wednesbury
- Permeable paving in Tipton
- Permeable paving in Dudley
- Permeable paving in Walsall
- Permeable paving in Birmingham

