New Driveway Cost in North West England: 2026 Price Guide

Converting a front garden into a driveway is one of the more popular smaller projects for homeowners across North West England, including in Manchester, Liverpool, Preston and Blackpool - though it comes with a permission catch that surprises a lot of people.

Typical costs

• Gravel driveway: roughly £1,200-£2,500
• Block paving: roughly £3,000-£5,500
• Resin-bound or tarmac: roughly £3,500-£7,000

Prices depend heavily on the size of the space and whether an existing wall, hedge or step needs to be removed to create the drop kerb and access.

The permission most people miss

If your new driveway is larger than 5 square metres and uses a standard impermeable surface (regular block paving or tarmac laid without drainage), you typically need planning permission - unless the water drains to a permeable or porous area rather than the road. Permeable paving or gravel avoids this requirement in most cases, which is why it's the default recommendation for smaller front gardens. As above, permitted development rights have size and height limits that vary by property type, and can be reduced or removed altogether in a conservation area or on a listed building - always confirm with your local council before committing to a design.

Separately, you'll need a licensed contractor to apply for a "drop kerb" from the council to lower the kerb and cross the pavement legally - this is a different process from planning permission and isn't optional even for a driveway that doesn't need planning permission itself.