Block Paving Plymouth: 7 Design Ideas & Maintenance Tips to Enhance Your New Driveway
May 23, 2025
Hear from our customers about their recent driveway installation.
June 5, 2025
A new driveway is one of the smartest ways to boost kerb appeal and day-to-day convenience. But before you sign a contract or order a skip, it pays to understand the factors that separate a long-lasting surface from one that cracks, sinks, or floods within a few seasons.
Below, our local driveway company - serving Plymouth, Ivybridge, the South Hams and beyond—shares the most important considerations, with a special focus on creating a premium block paving driveway that can handle Devon’s varied climate.
1. Usage & Lifestyle
- Vehicle load: Two-car family, occasional van, or a single small EV? The weight and turning radius influence block thickness and sub-base depth.
- Foot traffic: If your drive doubles as a play space or pathway, opt for a smoother finish and gentle slopes.
- Futureproofing: Planning solar panels or an EV charger? Factor cabling routes and parking bays in now to avoid cutting the surface later.
2. Material Selection
A. Block Paving (Customer Favourite)
- Design freedom: Herringbone, basket weave, or sleek plank formats.
- Individual repairs: Single blocks can be swapped if stained or damaged.
- Premium look: A wide palette of colours to complement both modern and period façades.
Dive deeper in our step-by-step block paving driveway guide.
B. Tarmac
Cost-effective and quick to install; ideal for larger rural drives.
C. Resin-Bound
Permeable surface, modern appearance, excellent skid resistance.
D. Stabilised Gravel
Budget friendly and rustic, but requires periodic top-ups.
3. Drainage, Levels & Plymouth’s Weather
With Plymouth recording its hottest—and one of its wettest—springs on record, getting water management right is crucial:
- Correct fall: A subtle 1:60 slope directs rain away from your home and prevents pooling.
- Permeable options: Permeable block pavers or resin-bound overlays meet current SuDS regulations, often avoiding the need for planning permission.
- Linear channels: Stainless slot drains blend with modern designs while coping with sudden downpours.
4. Sub-Base & Ground Conditions
Devon’s clay bands shrink in hot weather and swell in winter rain. A well-compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base (150 mm–250 mm deep) mitigates movement, while geotextile membranes stop fines migrating into the hardcore. Skimping here is the #1 cause of sinking drives.
5. Aesthetic Harmony
- Border accents: Soldier-course or contrasting granite setts add a designer frame.
- Colour blending: Mixed charcoal and mid-grey block paving hides road grime and salt spray better than single-tone pale drives.
- Lighting & planting: Low-voltage recessed uplights and evergreen borders soften hard edges and extend evening usability.
6. Regulations & Sustainability
- Front-garden rule: Surfacing more than 5 m² of non-permeable material may require planning consent unless water drains to your own soakaway.
- Dropped kerbs: Widening or adding a crossing needs a separate highways licence from Plymouth City Council or Devon Highways.
- Eco-considerations: Choose locally quarried aggregates and A-rated concrete blocks to shrink the project’s carbon footprint.
7. Budget vs. Lifetime Cost
Up-front price is only half the story. A correctly built block paving driveway typically lasts 20–25 years with minimal maintenance costs, whereas cheaper thin-tarmac overlays might need resurfacing within a decade. Compare lifespan, reseal intervals, and potential resale value uplift—not just the quote total.
8. Choosing the Right Local Driveway Company
- Portfolio & Testimonials: Always ask to view jobs at least 12 months old; fresh installs can hide shortcuts. See ours here: Driveway Projects.
- Specification Transparency: Your quote should list excavation depth, sub-base type, drainage provision, and block brand/colour.
- After-Care Promise: Look for workmanship warranties (we offer up to 10 years) and optional annual maintenance packages.
“RM Driveways transformed our tired concrete drive into a stunning herringbone block surface—complete with slot drains that have kept it puddle-free through the wettest winter. The crew were punctual, tidy, and explained every step. Worth every penny.”
— Sarah & Martin T., Modbury
Call to Action: Free Survey & Expert Advice
Ready to explore design options, check drainage, or get an accurate fixed price? Book a free, no-obligation driveway survey with RM Driveways & Landscaping—your trusted local driveway company for Plymouth and the South Hams. We’ll bring full-size samples, laser-check your levels, and leave you with a detailed proposal that fits your budget and style.
Phone: 01364 712353
Email: info@rmdrivewaysandlandscaping.co.uk
Transform first impressions and enjoy a hard-working surface that’s built for Devon’s climate—delivered by the specialists who’ve paved Plymouth for over 20 years.
