Tar and chip driveways in Cheltenham

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Cheltenham?

For Cheltenham, 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 Cheltenham, tar and chip driveway work runs at about £46–£77 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £2,300–£3,850. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What the price covers

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.

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

The build-up we price

Planning and kerb rules for Cheltenham

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

Covering Cheltenham

Cheltenham at a glance. We cover Cheltenham as part of our regular Gloucestershire rounds.

Postcodes: GL50, GL51, GL53, GL52
Area: Gloucestershire
Nearest towns: Tewkesbury (7 miles), Gloucester (7 miles), Stroud (12 miles), Cirencester (13 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Cheltenham: Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Stroud, Cirencester.

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Cheltenham

How long will the work take at my Cheltenham property?

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

Can I get a free survey in Cheltenham?

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.

Do you work in my part of Cheltenham?

We cover Cheltenham including GL50, GL51, GL53, GL52, and nearby Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Stroud.

Are there planning or highway rules in Cheltenham?

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).

Other work in Cheltenham

Questions about tar and chip driveways in Cheltenham? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.