New tarmac driveways in Gateshead

New tarmac driveway prices in Gateshead

These Gateshead guide prices reflect rates in the North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£56–£88 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£1,850–£2,900
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,800–£4,400
Example: 80 m² drive	£4,450–£7,050

As a 2026 guide in Gateshead, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £56–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,800–£4,400. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

How it is built

Planning and kerb rules for Gateshead

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

What is included in a new tarmac driveway?

A new tarmac driveway is built from the ground up: the old surface and soil are dug out, a compacted stone sub-base is laid, then a hot binder course and a finer surface course are spread and rolled, and the edges are held by kerbs or blocks.

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
Dig to formation level, usually around 230–250 mm below finished height
Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
MOT Type 1 sub-base laid and compacted in layers, about 150 mm
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled

Gateshead: the local details

Gateshead at a glance. We cover Gateshead as part of our regular Tyne and Wear rounds.

Postcodes: NE8
Area: Tyne and Wear
Nearest towns: Newcastle upon Tyne (1 mile), Felling (1 mile), Gosforth (3 miles), Whickham (3 miles)
Pricing: North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Newcastle upon Tyne, Felling, Gosforth, Whickham, Wallsend.

Your questions answered

Do you cover all of Gateshead?

We cover Gateshead including NE8, and nearby Newcastle upon Tyne, Felling, Gosforth.

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

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.

What approvals apply in Gateshead?

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 quickly can work start in Gateshead?

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

More we do in Gateshead

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