Tar and chip driveways in Poole

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Poole?

For Poole, we apply the South West rate, about 3% above 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	£46–£77 per m²
Example: 50 m² drive	£2,300–£3,850
Example: 100 m² drive	£4,650–£7,700
Example: 200 m² drive	£8,800–£14,700

As a 2026 guide in Poole, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £46–£77 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £8,800–£14,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Poole?

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

What the price covers

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

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

Poole: the local details

What applies in Poole. Poole is one of the bigger places we cover in Dorset, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: BH15, BH14, BH17, BH16
Area: Dorset
Nearest towns: Bournemouth (5 miles), Wimborne Minster (5 miles), Ferndown (7 miles), Christchurch (9 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Bournemouth, Wimborne Minster, Ferndown, Christchurch, Dorchester.

Poole: common questions

How quickly can work start in Poole?

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

Which Poole postcodes do you cover?

We cover Poole including BH15, BH14, BH17, BH16, and nearby Bournemouth, Wimborne Minster, Ferndown.

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

As a 2026 guide in Poole, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £46–£77 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £8,800–£14,700. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

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

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).

More we do in Poole

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