Tar and chip driveways in Bath

What does a tar and chip driveway cost in Bath?

Guide prices below are for Bath, adjusted for the South West, where surfacing rates run about 3% above our UK midpoint.

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 Bath, 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 Bath?

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.

Bath: the local details

The key facts for Bath. Bath is one of the bigger places we cover in Somerset, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: BA1, BA2
Area: Somerset
Nearest towns: Keynsham (6 miles), Trowbridge (8 miles), Melksham (10 miles), Frome (10 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Keynsham, Trowbridge, Melksham, Frome, Westbury.

What the price covers

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

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
Second coat where a double dressing is specified

Bath: common questions

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

As a 2026 guide in Bath, 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 you work in my part of Bath?

We cover Bath including BA1, BA2, and nearby Keynsham, Trowbridge, Melksham.

Are there planning or highway rules in Bath?

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 long does a tar and chip driveway take in Bath?

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

Other work in Bath

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