Planning a replacement block drive in Longton
Longton is a sizeable town with a mix of semis, terraces and newer estates, and many drives here were first laid decades ago.
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 Longton?
Most replacement block drive quotes in the West Midlands 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 West Midlands, checked 9 November 2026. See all prices or use the guide price tool.
What is included?
Sometimes the old base can be kept: a thick, sound concrete or well-compacted hardcore layer may only need trimming and topping up. Often it cannot, because it was too thin, has sunk or sits too high against the house. The survey checks levels against the damp-proof course and the existing base before the quote is written, so the price reflects the real dig.
- Levels set below the damp-proof course with falls away from the house
- Break-out of the old surface with waste removal and skip or grab lorry
- Assessment of the old base: keep, top up or replace
- New edging, sub-base where needed, and the block drive
- Drainage added where the old drive sent water to the house or road
What we check on a Longton survey
- Whether front-garden planning rules apply
- Where an electric vehicle charger cable might run
- Ground conditions under the old surface and how deep the sub-base must be
- Block range, thickness, colour and pattern to suit the house
- Existing manhole and inspection covers, and whether to recess them
Rules for front drives in Longton
Longton 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
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
Clean finish
The site is swept, the joints are filled and you are shown how to look after the paving.
Edges set in concrete
Every edge restraint is bedded and haunched, so the paving cannot creep.
Repair before replace
If your drive can be fixed or re-laid, we will say so.
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 Longton: questions
Is the survey in Longton 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 you cover Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove?
Yes. We cover Longton and the places around it, including Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove, and the rest of Staffordshire.
Can you match the blocks to my house in Longton?
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.
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 Longton
Nearby towns we cover for replace an old drive, and replace an old drive across Staffordshire:
- Replace an old drive in Stoke-on-Trent
- Replace an old drive in Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Replace an old drive in Kidsgrove
- Replace an old drive in Stafford
- Replace an old drive in Rugeley
- Replace an old drive in Cannock
