Front garden to tarmac driveway in Herne Bay

What does a front garden driveway conversion cost in Herne Bay?

Local guide rates for Herne Bay (the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£66–£105 per m²
Example: 20 m² drive	£1,450–£2,300
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,450
Example: 45 m² drive	£2,950–£4,700

As a 2026 guide in Herne Bay, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Herne Bay

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Herne Bay: the local details

What applies in Herne Bay. Smaller towns such as Herne Bay are surveyed alongside nearby jobs in Kent.

Postcodes: CT6
Area: Kent
Nearest towns: Whitstable (5 miles), Canterbury (7 miles), Faversham (11 miles), Margate (11 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Whitstable, Canterbury, Faversham, Margate, Ramsgate.

What is included in a front garden driveway conversion?

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
Highway authority dropped kerb application guided or handled for you
Lawn, hedge roots and topsoil removed
Kerbs or blocks as edge restraint
A planted strip kept where it helps drainage and looks

Your questions answered

Are there planning or highway rules in Herne Bay?

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).

Front garden driveway conversion cost in Herne Bay: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Herne Bay, front garden driveway conversion work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,200–£3,450. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Do you cover all of Herne Bay?

We cover Herne Bay including CT6, and nearby Whitstable, Canterbury, Faversham.

Can I get a free survey in Herne Bay?

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.

More we do in Herne Bay

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