New tarmac driveways in Lewes

What does a new tarmac driveway cost in Lewes?

Local guide rates for Lewes (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: 30 m² drive	£2,200–£3,450
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,300–£5,250
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,300–£8,350

As a 2026 guide in Lewes, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,300–£5,250. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Lewes

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).

Lewes: the local details

Survey cover and pricing for Lewes. Smaller towns such as Lewes are surveyed alongside nearby jobs in East Sussex.

Postcodes: BN7, BN8
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Rottingdean (5 miles), Peacehaven (6 miles), Brighton (7 miles), Uckfield (8 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Rottingdean, Peacehaven, Brighton, Uckfield, Seaford.

What is included in 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
Dig to formation level, usually around 230–250 mm below finished height
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
Surface course (AC 6 dense), about 20–30 mm, laid hot and rolled

Lewes: common questions

What is the price of a new tarmac driveway in Lewes?

As a 2026 guide in Lewes, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £66–£105 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,300–£5,250. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long does a new tarmac driveway take in Lewes?

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

Are there planning or highway rules in Lewes?

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).

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

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 Lewes

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