Red tarmac driveways in Christchurch

How much should I budget in Christchurch?

Local guide rates for Christchurch (the South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£77–£118 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,550–£3,900
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,850–£5,900
Example: 80 m² drive	£6,200–£9,500

As a 2026 guide in Christchurch, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £77–£118 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,850–£5,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

The build-up we price

Rules that apply in Christchurch

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

Christchurch: the local details

The key facts for Christchurch. Christchurch is 4 miles from Bournemouth, and we survey there as part of Dorset cover.

Postcodes: BH6, BH23, BH7
Area: Dorset
Nearest towns: Bournemouth (4 miles), New Milton (5 miles), Ferndown (7 miles), Poole (9 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Christchurch: Bournemouth, New Milton, Ferndown, Poole, Wimborne Minster.

What is included in a red tarmac driveway?

Red tarmac is ordinary asphalt with a red pigment, and often red aggregate, in the surface course, laid on the same sub-base and binder course as a black tarmac drive.

Full dig-out and MOT Type 1 sub-base, about 150 mm
Black AC 20 binder course, about 50–60 mm
Red pigmented surface course, about 20–30 mm
Contrasting block or kerb border as edge restraint
Colour sample discussed before ordering

Your questions answered

Which Christchurch postcodes do you cover?

We cover Christchurch including BH6, BH23, BH7, and nearby Bournemouth, New Milton, Ferndown.

What approvals apply in Christchurch?

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).

What is the price of a red tarmac driveway in Christchurch?

As a 2026 guide in Christchurch, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £77–£118 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £3,850–£5,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

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

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.

Also in Christchurch

Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Christchurch.