Front garden to tarmac driveway in Torquay

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Torquay?

Local guide rates for Torquay (the South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£62–£98 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,350–£2,150
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,050–£3,250
Example: 45 m² drive	£2,800–£4,400

As a 2026 guide in Torquay, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £62–£98 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,800–£4,400. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Torquay?

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

What the price covers

A front garden conversion turns lawn or planting into a parking space: the ground is excavated, a stone sub-base laid, tarmac surfaced on top, and a lowered kerb arranged so a car can cross the pavement legally.

Check the space: length, width and gate posts for a car
Highway authority dropped kerb application guided or handled for you
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Covering Torquay

The key facts for Torquay. Torquay sits 28 miles from Plymouth, within our regular Devon cover.

Postcodes: TQ1, TQ2
Area: Devon
Nearest towns: Paignton (3 miles), Brixham (5 miles), Newton Abbot (6 miles), Exmouth (12 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot, Exmouth, Exeter.

Your questions answered

What is the price of a front garden driveway conversion in Torquay?

As a 2026 guide in Torquay, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £62–£98 per m² including VAT, so a 45 m² drive is roughly £2,800–£4,400. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Are there planning or highway rules in Torquay?

In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. Dropped kerbs are approved by the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Is the survey in Torquay free?

Yes for new surfacing such as drives, paths, private roads and car parks. Small repairs are often priced from photos; if a visit is needed for a repair-only job, we tell you any charge first.

Do you cover all of Torquay?

We cover Torquay including TQ1, TQ2, and nearby Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot.

More we do in Torquay

Tell us what you have in mind for Torquay and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.