Planning a replacement block drive in Dover
Dover 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 replacement block drive cost in Dover?
Expect replacement block drives in Dover to come in at around £105–£195 per m², including VAT at 20%. As an example, a 45 m² replacement drive usually comes to between £4,600 and £8,750.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £105–£195 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 is included?
Replacing an old drive with block paving means breaking out the existing tarmac, concrete or gravel, checking what is underneath, and then building a block drive on a sound base. Many older tarmac and concrete drives have cracked, sunk or broken up, which is why this is such a common way into block paving.
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
What the survey covers
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Access for a mini-digger, skip or grab lorry
- Trees and roots near the drive
- The kerb: is it already dropped, and is it wide enough?
Planning and kerb rules in Dover
Dover 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.
What you can expect from us
Water planned first
Falls, channels and soakaways are designed before the pattern is chosen.
Itemised quotes
Break-out, waste, edging, drainage and covers are separate lines you can see.
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.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Replace an old drive in Dover: questions
Can you match the blocks to my house in Dover?
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 replacement block drive in Dover?
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 replacement block drive cost in Dover?
Our guide for Dover is £105–£195 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² replacement drive is usually about £4,600–£8,750. Your fixed price follows the survey.
How long does a replacement 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.
Replace an old drive near Dover
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Kent:
- Replace an old drive in Folkestone
- Replace an old drive in Deal
- Replace an old drive in Canterbury
- Replace an old drive in Ramsgate
- Replace an old drive in Broadstairs
- Replace an old drive in Margate
