Tar and chip driveways in Portslade

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Portslade?

These Portslade 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 Portslade, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £50–£82 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £9,400–£15,700. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Where we work in and around Portslade

The key facts for Portslade. We cover Portslade by grouping surveys with nearby East Sussex jobs; Brighton is 3 miles away.

Postcodes: BN41, BN42, BN45
Area: East Sussex
Nearest towns: Hove (2 miles), Shoreham-by-Sea (3 miles), Brighton (3 miles), Lancing (5 miles)
Pricing: South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton, Lancing, Worthing.

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
Chippings spread straight onto the binder
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Do I need permission in Portslade?

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).

Your questions answered

Are there planning or highway rules in Portslade?

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).

Do you cover all of Portslade?

We cover Portslade including BN41, BN42, BN45, and nearby Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton.

How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Portslade?

As a 2026 guide in Portslade, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £50–£82 per m² including VAT, so a 200 m² drive is roughly £9,400–£15,700. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long will the work take at my Portslade property?

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

Also in Portslade

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