Permeable tarmac driveways in Argyll and Bute
Permeable tarmac driveways in Argyll and Bute are priced from a site survey and an itemised specification, adjusted for Scotland rates.

How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in Argyll and Bute?
Rates in Argyll and Bute follow Scotland, about 8% above our UK midpoint. Work here is by arrangement because of travel and haulage.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Porous asphalt drive on a permeable stone base | £86–£135 per m² |
| Example: 30 m² drive | £2,850–£4,450 |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £4,300–£6,750 |
| Example: 80 m² drive | £6,900–£10,800 |
Towns we cover in Argyll and Bute
Postcode areas: G, PA.
What is included?
A permeable tarmac drive uses porous asphalt, a mix with fewer fine particles so water passes through the gaps, laid on an open-graded stone base that stores the rain and lets it soak into the ground.
- Ground check: how fast does the soil drain?
- Dig out deeper than a standard drive to fit the storage layer
- Geotextile separating layer on the formation
- Porous asphalt binder and surface courses
- Overflow to a soakaway or border on slow-draining ground
- Edge restraint that does not block the flow
Rules in Argyll and Bute
In Scotland, a hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the council as roads authority.
Permeable tarmac driveways in Argyll and Bute: questions
How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in Argyll and Bute?
As a 2026 guide, about £86–£135 per m² inc VAT in Argyll and Bute. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Argyll and Bute do you cover?
Helensburgh, Dunoon, Oban, by arrangement.
How long does a permeable tarmac driveway take?
Usually 3–5 working days.
Does a permeable drive need planning permission?
In England, a front driveway over 5 m² does not usually need permission if the surface is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property. Permeable tarmac built properly meets that. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.
Other services in Argyll and Bute
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED