Tar and chip driveways in East Sussex
Across in East Sussex, we cover 13 towns for tar and chip driveways, including Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in East Sussex?
Rates in East Sussex follow the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base | £50–£82 per m² |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £2,500–£4,100 |
| Example: 100 m² drive | £4,950–£8,250 |
| Example: 200 m² drive | £9,400–£15,700 |
Towns we cover in East Sussex
- Brighton
- Eastbourne
- Hastings
- Hove
- Bexhill-on-Sea
- Hailsham
- Seaford
- Rottingdean
- Crowborough
- Portslade
- Peacehaven
- Uckfield
- Lewes
Postcode areas: BN, TN.
What is included?
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
- Chippings spread straight onto the binder
- Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days
- Second coat where a double dressing is specified
Rules in East Sussex
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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).
How it is built
Tar and chip driveways in East Sussex: questions
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in East Sussex?
As a 2026 guide, about £50–£82 per m² inc VAT in East Sussex. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in East Sussex do you cover?
Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea, Hailsham, Seaford, Rottingdean and more.
How long does a tar and chip driveway take?
Often 1–3 days depending on base work.
Does tar and chip need planning permission?
Tar and chip is a sealed surface, so treat it like tarmac: in England, over 5 m² in front of the house needs the water to drain to a permeable area within the property, or planning permission.
Other services in East Sussex
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED