Front garden to tarmac driveway in Peckham

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Peckham?

Guide prices below are for Peckham, adjusted for London, where surfacing rates run about 20% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£72–£114 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,600–£2,500
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,400–£3,750
Example: 45 m² drive	£3,250–£5,150

As a 2026 guide in Peckham, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Peckham?

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

Turning a lawn or front garden into off-road parking: dig, base, tarmac, kerb crossing and planting.

Check the space: length, width and gate posts for a car
Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
Sub-base and two tarmac courses, or porous asphalt
Water directed to a border, soakaway or channel
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Peckham: the local details

What applies in Peckham. As one of the larger towns in Greater London, Peckham sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: SE15, SE14, SE22, SE1P, SE17, SE16
Area: Greater London
Nearest towns: Brixton (2 miles), Greenwich (3 miles), Catford (3 miles), Westminster (3 miles)
Pricing: London, about 20% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Brixton, Greenwich, Catford, Westminster, Blackheath.

Your questions answered

Do I need permission for a front garden driveway conversion in Peckham?

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).

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

As a 2026 guide in Peckham, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £72–£114 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,400–£3,750. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Is the survey in Peckham 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.

Which Peckham postcodes do you cover?

We cover Peckham including SE15, SE14, SE22, SE1P, SE17, SE16, and nearby Brixton, Greenwich, Catford.

Also in Peckham

Ready for a price in Peckham? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.