New tarmac driveways in South Shields

How much should I budget in South Shields?

These South Shields 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 South Shields, 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.

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
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled
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

Do I need permission in South Shields?

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.

How it is built

Where we work in and around South Shields

Survey cover and pricing for South Shields. As one of the larger towns in Tyne and Wear, South Shields sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: NE33, NE34
Area: Tyne and Wear
Nearest towns: Tynemouth (1 mile), North Shields (1 mile), Jarrow (2 miles), Whitley Bay (3 miles)
Pricing: North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Tynemouth, North Shields, Jarrow, Whitley Bay, Hebburn.

South Shields: common questions

What approvals apply in South Shields?

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).

Can I get a free survey in South Shields?

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.

New tarmac driveway cost in South Shields: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in South Shields, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £56–£88 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,800–£4,400. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How quickly can work start in South Shields?

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

Other work in South Shields

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