Tar and chip driveways in Newtownabbey

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Newtownabbey?

Local guide rates for Newtownabbey (Northern Ireland, 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 Newtownabbey, 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.

What we do on a tar and chip driveway

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
Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
Rolled to bed the stones in
Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Where we work in and around Newtownabbey

Newtownabbey at a glance. Newtownabbey is 4 miles from Belfast, and we survey there as part of County Antrim cover.

Postcodes: BT37, BT36
Area: County Antrim
Nearest towns: Holywood (4 miles), Belfast (4 miles), Carrickfergus (6 miles), Castlereagh (6 miles)
Pricing: Northern Ireland, about 12% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: DfI Roads

Close to Newtownabbey: Holywood, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Dundonald.

Rules that apply in Newtownabbey

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.

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Newtownabbey

Do you cover all of Newtownabbey?

We cover Newtownabbey including BT37, BT36, and nearby Holywood, Belfast, Carrickfergus.

Are there planning or highway rules in Newtownabbey?

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.

What is the price of a tar and chip driveway in Newtownabbey?

As a 2026 guide in Newtownabbey, 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. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Can I get a free survey in Newtownabbey?

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.

Other work in Newtownabbey

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