Planning a replacement block drive in Ormskirk
Around Ormskirk, plots are often larger and drives longer, so edging, falls and the route the water takes need planning.
The North West is one of the wetter parts of England, so falls, channel drains and permeable options matter more than usual.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Ormskirk?
Most replacement block drive quotes in the North West fall within £95–£180 per m² including VAT. A 45 m² replacement drive would usually be about £4,300–£8,100, with any extras listed separately on your quote.
| Item | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Replace tarmac or concrete with block (incl. break-out) | £95–£180 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 North West, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What you get with our replace an old drive service
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.
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- 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
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
Planning and kerb rules in Ormskirk
Ormskirk 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
The dig and sub-base in writing
Your quote states the depth of dig, the sub-base thickness and how it is compacted.
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.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Replace an old drive in Ormskirk: questions
Do you cover Skelmersdale, Leyland and Chorley?
Yes. We cover Ormskirk and the places around it, including Skelmersdale, Leyland and Chorley, and the rest of Lancashire.
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Ormskirk?
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.
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 Ormskirk?
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.
Replace an old drive near Ormskirk
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Lancashire:
- Replace an old drive in Skelmersdale
- Replace an old drive in Leyland
- Replace an old drive in Chorley
- Replace an old drive in Lytham St Annes
- Replace an old drive in Preston
- Replace an old drive in Blackpool
