Tar and chip driveways in Brighton

Tar and chip driveway prices in Brighton

These Brighton guide prices reflect rates in 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

As a 2026 guide in Brighton, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £50–£82 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,500–£4,100. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Brighton?

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

Brighton: the local details

The key facts for Brighton. As one of the larger towns in East Sussex, Brighton sees regular survey visits.

Postcodes: BN50, BN1, BN2
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (1 mile), Portslade (3 miles), Rottingdean (4 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (6 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Nearby, we work in Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven.

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
Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
Rolled to bed the stones in
Loose surplus chippings swept up after a few days

Brighton: common questions

Are there planning or highway rules in Brighton?

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).

How quickly can work start in Brighton?

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

Do you work in my part of Brighton?

We cover Brighton including BN50, BN1, BN2, and nearby Hove, Portslade, Rottingdean.

Is the survey in Brighton free?

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 Brighton

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