Planning a replacement block drive in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury has a big mix of housing, from older terraces near the centre to newer estates further out, so no two drives here start from the same ground.
Clay ground is widespread in the West Midlands, so the sub-base depth and drainage are checked on every survey.
How much does a replacement block drive cost in Shrewsbury?
Guide price in Shrewsbury: £95–£180 per m² including VAT, which puts a 45 m² replacement drive at about £4,300–£8,100. These are West Midlands guide figures; the survey confirms the real price before you commit.
| 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 West Midlands, 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.
- 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
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
Before we price your replacement block drive
- Where rain will go: falls, lawn, border, channel or soakaway
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Edges against lawns, beds, walls and neighbours
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
Do you need permission in Shrewsbury?
Shrewsbury 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.
How we work
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
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.
Replace an old drive in Shrewsbury: questions
Do you cover Wellington, Hadley and Telford?
Yes. We cover Shrewsbury and the places around it, including Wellington, Hadley and Telford, and the rest of Shropshire.
Do I need planning permission for a replacement block drive in Shrewsbury?
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 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.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Shrewsbury?
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 Shrewsbury
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Shropshire:
- Replace an old drive in Wellington
- Replace an old drive in Hadley
- Replace an old drive in Telford
- Replace an old drive in Newport, Shropshire
- Replace an old drive in Oswestry
