Permeable tarmac driveways in Cardiff

What does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in Cardiff?

For Cardiff, we apply the Welsh rate, about 5% below our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Porous asphalt drive on a permeable stone base	£76–£119 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,500–£3,900
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,800–£5,950
Example: 80 m² drive	£6,100–£9,500

As a 2026 guide in Cardiff, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £76–£119 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,500–£3,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What is included in a permeable tarmac driveway?

Open-graded porous asphalt on a deep permeable stone base, so rain soaks through on site.

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

Where we work in and around Cardiff

The key facts for Cardiff. We cover Cardiff as part of our regular South Glamorgan rounds.

Postcodes: CF10, CF11, CF24, CF23, CF3
Area: South Glamorgan
Nearest towns: Llandaff (2 miles), Penarth (3 miles), Dinas Powys (3 miles), Caerphilly (7 miles)
Pricing: Wales, about 5% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The council

The same service is available in Llandaff, Penarth, Dinas Powys, Caerphilly, Barry.

Do I need permission in Cardiff?

In Wales, a new hard surface in front of a house is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a permeable area within the property; repairing or replacing up to 5 m² of existing hardstanding is allowed without meeting that condition. Separately, since January 2019, construction covering 100 m² or more that affects drainage generally needs approval from the council's SuDS Approving Body (SAB) before work starts, even where planning permission is not needed. Larger drives, shared surfaces and car parks often reach that threshold. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the council as highway authority approves it before any work on the footway.

Your questions answered

Permeable tarmac driveway cost in Cardiff: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Cardiff, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £76–£119 per m² including VAT, so a 30 m² drive is roughly £2,500–£3,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long will the work take at my Cardiff property?

Usually 3–5 working days. We book Cardiff surveys alongside other jobs in South Glamorgan, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Is the survey in Cardiff free?

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.

Do I need permission for a permeable tarmac driveway in Cardiff?

In Wales, new front hardstanding should be porous or drain to a permeable area within the property, and work covering 100 m² or more with drainage effects usually needs SAB approval first. Dropped kerbs are approved by the council as highway authority.

Other work in Cardiff

Tell us what you have in mind for Cardiff and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.