Tar and chip driveways in Ballyclare

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Ballyclare?

Guide prices below are for Ballyclare, adjusted for Northern Ireland, where surfacing rates run about 12% below our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base	£40–£66 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,000–£3,300
Example: 100 m² drive	£3,950–£6,600
Example: 200 m² drive	£7,500–£12,550

As a 2026 guide in Ballyclare, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £40–£66 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £7,500–£12,550. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What the price covers

Hot bitumen sprayed and dressed with rolled stone chippings for a gravel look that stays put.

Base prepared: new MOT Type 1 sub-base, or an existing sound tarmac or stone base
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Chippings spread straight onto the binder
Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Covering Ballyclare

What applies in Ballyclare. Ballyclare is covered on our County Antrim rounds, 11 miles from Belfast.

Postcodes: BT39
Area: County Antrim
Nearest towns: Newtownabbey (7 miles), Carrickfergus (8 miles), Antrim (9 miles), Larne (10 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

The same service is available in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Antrim, Larne, Holywood.

Rules that apply in Ballyclare

In Northern Ireland, the Planning (General Permitted Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 allows a hard surface between the front of a house and a road without permission if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, once it exceeds 5 m². Listed buildings and some access changes need permission. Any new or altered vehicle access onto a public road needs approval from DfI Roads, not the council.

Your questions answered

Do I need permission for a tar and chip driveway in Ballyclare?

In Northern Ireland, more than 5 m² of hard surface in front of a house should be porous or drain to a porous area within the property; DfI Roads approves dropped kerbs. Dropped kerbs are approved by DfI Roads.

Do you work in my part of Ballyclare?

We cover Ballyclare including BT39, and nearby Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Antrim.

Can I get a free survey in Ballyclare?

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.

How long does a tar and chip driveway take in Ballyclare?

Often 1–3 days depending on base work. We book Ballyclare surveys alongside other jobs in County Antrim, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Also in Ballyclare

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Ballyclare? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.