Permeable block paving in Chichester: the local picture
Chichester is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
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.
How much does a permeable block drive cost in Chichester?
In the South East, a permeable block drive usually costs £115–£185 per m² including VAT. For a 50 m² drive, that is roughly £5,650–£9,200. 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 | £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.
- Ground check: how well the soil drains and how high the water table sits
- Geotextile layer where the design needs one
- Edge restraints and any overflow or outlet the design needs
- Grit laying course and permeable blocks with grit-filled joints
- Deeper dig-out for the open-graded sub-base
What we check on a Chichester survey
- Levels against the damp-proof course (the finished paving must sit at least 150 mm below it)
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Trees and roots near the drive
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
Do you need permission in Chichester?
Chichester 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.
How it works
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
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
Honest timescales
We tell you how long the job takes and what can delay it, such as approvals and weather.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Permeable paving in Chichester: questions
Do you cover Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Worthing?
Yes. We cover Chichester and the places around it, including Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Worthing, and the rest of West Sussex.
Is the survey in Chichester 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.
Do I need planning permission for a permeable block drive in Chichester?
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 Chichester?
Our guide for Chichester 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.
Permeable paving near Chichester
Nearby towns we cover for permeable paving, and permeable paving across West Sussex:
- Permeable paving in Bognor Regis
- Permeable paving in Littlehampton
- Permeable paving in Worthing
- Permeable paving in Havant
- Permeable paving in Waterlooville
