A new driveway is a hard-wearing surface for parking, such as block paving, resin bound gravel, tarmac or gravel, laid on an excavated and compacted sub-base with edging and drainage designed to carry vehicle loads and handle rainwater.
Whether you live in one of the larger towns, such as Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, South Shields and Gateshead, or somewhere quieter in Tyne and Wear, the way we handle a new driveway is identical. We survey, agree the specification with you, and confirm a fixed price on paper. Everything is planned under the regulations in force in England, and guide costs in the North East sit at £3,600–£8,100 with VAT.
- Guide price
- £3,600–£8,100 inc VAT
- Time on site
- 3–7 days on site
- Planning rules
- England
- Price level
- About 10% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 15
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
How much does a new driveway cost in Tyne and Wear?
To help you plan, we show what a new driveway typically costs in Tyne and Wear instead of holding figures back for a sales call. The range is £3,600–£8,100 with VAT, using rates in the North East that are about 10% below the national guide. A free survey then fixes your actual price.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in Tyne and Wear |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel or tarmac | A typical 40–50m² drive in gravel on a grid, or tarmac with block edging. | £1,800–£4,500 |
| Block paving or resin bound | A typical 40–50m² drive with sub-base, edging and drainage. | £3,600–£8,100 |
| Large or premium driveway | Larger drives, natural stone, walls, steps or a new dropped kerb. | £7,200–£14,500 |
What moves the price up or down:
- Driveway area and the depth of excavation needed
- Surface: gravel, tarmac, block paving, resin or stone
- Drainage, soakaways and changes in level
- Access for machinery and removal of spoil
What’s included?
- Survey of levels, drainage, manholes and access
- Excavation and removal of the old surface and soil
- Weed membrane and compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base
- Edging kerbs or restraints to hold the surface in place
- New surface laid, compacted and finished
- Site cleared and waste removed
Housing across Tyne and Wear
Tyneside flats, pairs of upper and lower flats behind a terraced front, are a distinctive feature of Newcastle and Gateshead. Sunderland is known for its single-storey terraced 'Sunderland cottages', and both cities have Victorian brick and stone terraces, interwar estates and post-war housing. Washington was built as a new town from the 1960s.
Terraces and Tyneside flats commonly need repointing, roof work and window replacement. Houses suit loft rooms and rear extensions, and new-town homes often take garage conversions and cladding upgrades.
Cold North Sea winds and sea frets affect the coast at Tynemouth and South Shields, and former coal workings underlie parts of the area.
Planning and building rules in Tyne and Wear
The notes below cover England, which is where Tyne and Wear sits. Rules change and every property is different, so we speak to the council before pricing your job.
In England, a new or replacement front-garden surface over 5 m² needs planning permission unless it is permeable or drains to a lawn or border within your property. A new dropped kerb needs consent from the council’s highways team, and access onto a classified road may need planning permission.
Building Regulations do not usually apply to driveways, but drainage must not discharge onto the road or a neighbour’s land.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
How does the job run?
We look at the job
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new driveway properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Price and scope agreed
We put everything into a written, fixed-price quote: the specification, what's excluded, staged payments and the expected time on site. Take whatever time you need to decide; there's no pressure to commit.
Dates and permissions
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
Build and hand over
On site, the agreed plan is followed and any change is put in writing first. At completion we do a final clean, go through the snagging list with you and leave you with the relevant documents.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
Do you cover Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields?
Yes. As well as Tyne and Wear, we cover Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland and South Shields and the rest of Tyne and Wear. Our coverage is UK-wide, so the process is the same wherever you are: a free site survey, a quote in writing that fixes the price for the agreed scope, and one point of contact while the work is planned and carried out.
Do I need planning permission for a driveway?
Whether a driveway needs planning permission depends on its size, surface and drainage, your home's location, whether it is listed or in a conservation area, and which UK nation you are in. In England, a new or replacement front driveway over 5m² needs permission unless it uses a permeable surface or drains to a lawn or border. We check the rules and design to suit.
Do I need planning permission in Tyne and Wear?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. Tyne and Wear is in England, so England's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
Do I need permission for a dropped kerb?
A dropped kerb lets vehicles cross the pavement onto your drive, and creating or widening one needs consent from your local highways authority. They usually check visibility, the distance from junctions and trees, and whether there is enough space to park off the road. Many councils carry out the kerb work themselves or use approved contractors. We can help with the application.
Can I use my car during the work?
You will not be able to park on the driveway while it is being dug out and laid, so plan to park on the street or nearby for the duration. We keep a safe pedestrian route to your front door where possible. After completion, block paving and tarmac can usually be driven on straight away, while resin and concrete need a short curing period first.
Towns in Tyne and Wear
Looking for a new driveway somewhere in Tyne and Wear? Start with the towns below; each links to a page with pricing for your region and coverage details.