New tarmac driveways in Luton

How much should I budget in Luton?

These Luton guide prices reflect rates in the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£63–£100 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,100–£3,300
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,150–£5,000
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,050–£8,000

As a 2026 guide in Luton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,100–£3,300. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Luton

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

What we do on a new tarmac driveway

Full dig-out, compacted stone sub-base, binder course and a fine surface course, edged and drained.

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Surface course (AC 6 dense), about 20–30 mm, laid hot and rolled
Falls set so water runs to a channel, gully or soft landscaping

Covering Luton

Luton at a glance. As one of the larger towns in Bedfordshire, Luton sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: LU1, LU2, LU3
Area: Bedfordshire
Nearest towns: Dunstable (5 miles), Harpenden (5 miles), Hitchin (7 miles), Hemel Hempstead (9 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Luton: Dunstable, Harpenden, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, Stevenage.

Layer by layer

Your questions answered

What approvals apply in Luton?

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).

How long will the work take at my Luton property?

Usually 2–4 working days for a typical drive, longer with drainage or a dropped kerb. We book Luton surveys alongside other jobs in Bedfordshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

How much does a new tarmac driveway cost in Luton?

As a 2026 guide in Luton, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,100–£3,300. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Will someone visit before I get a fixed price in Luton?

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.

Other work in Luton

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Luton? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.