Tar and chip driveways in Belfast

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Belfast?

For Belfast, we apply the Northern Ireland rate, about 12% below our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

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 Belfast, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £40–£66 per m² including VAT, so a 100 m² drive is roughly £3,950–£6,600. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Belfast?

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.

What is included in a tar and chip driveway?

Tar and chip, also called surface dressing, is a layer of bitumen sprayed onto a prepared base and immediately covered with stone chippings, which are rolled in so the surface looks like gravel but behaves like a bound drive.

Base prepared: new MOT Type 1 sub-base, or an existing sound tarmac or stone base
Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Rolled to bed the stones in
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Covering Belfast

Survey cover and pricing for Belfast. Belfast is one of the bigger places we cover in County Antrim, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: BT1, BT2, BT7, BT12, BT13, BT3, BT15, BT9
Area: County Antrim
Nearest towns: Castlereagh (2 miles), Newtownabbey (4 miles), Holywood (5 miles), Dundonald (5 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

The same service is available in Castlereagh, Newtownabbey, Holywood, Dundonald, Lisburn.

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Belfast

What approvals apply in Belfast?

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.

Can I get a free survey in Belfast?

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 quickly can work start in Belfast?

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

Do you cover all of Belfast?

We cover Belfast including BT1, BT2, BT7, BT12, BT13, BT3, and nearby Castlereagh, Newtownabbey, Holywood.

Other work in Belfast

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