Herringbone
The strongest pattern for driveways. Blocks interlock in two directions, so they resist turning wheels.
Get a quote about herringbonePN Landscapes builds block paved driveways in Uckfield and East Sussex on a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base with concrete-haunched edge restraints, a screeded sand laying course and drainage that complies with front-garden planning rules.
Block paving is the most practical driveway surface for most houses in Uckfield. It carries cars without rutting, comes in dozens of colours and patterns, and if a block is stained or a pipe needs digging up, the area can be lifted and relaid without leaving a scar.
It only works if the layers underneath are right. PN Landscapes has been laying block paved drives across East Sussex since 1997, and this is how we build them.
The layers in a block paved driveway
From the bottom up, this is what sits under a drive we build.
| Layer | What it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Firm, trimmed subsoil | The foundation everything else relies on |
| Geotextile | Permeable membrane | Stops the sub-base pushing into clay |
| Sub-base | 150mm or more of compacted MOT Type 1 | Spreads the weight of vehicles |
| Edge restraints | Kerbs or blocks bedded and haunched in concrete | Stop the paving spreading sideways |
| Laying course | Screeded sharp sand | A level bed for the blocks |
| Blocks | Concrete or clay pavers | The wearing surface |
| Jointing | Kiln-dried sand, compacted in | Locks the blocks together |
Patterns and colours
Brindle and charcoal
Our most popular combination: a brindle field with a charcoal border to frame it.
Get a quote about brindle and charcoal
Borders and details
Soldier courses, contrasting bands and recessed manhole covers that disappear into the pattern.
Get a quote about borders and detailsDrainage, planning and dropped kerbs
Drainage. Paving more than 5 square metres of a front garden with an impermeable surface that drains to the road needs planning permission. The usual ways to avoid that are permeable block paving on an open-graded sub-base, or standard blocks falling to a channel drain and soakaway, or to a planted border, within your property.
Dropped kerbs. Driving over a pavement without a dropped kerb is not permitted. A new or widened crossover needs a licence from East Sussex County Council.
Clay ground. Soakaways drain slowly in Wealden clay, so we check the ground before recommending a drainage design.
Walled block driveway with fencing, gate, steps and ramp
“In just over two weeks you have transformed the area in front of and to the side of our house from being an overgrown hedged, bank of soil, old sheds and rubbish into a superb walled block driveway with fencing, gate, shed, steps, paving and a ramp. We are absolutely delighted with the results.”
Questions we are asked
Block paving FAQs
How thick should driveway blocks be?
Standard 50mm blocks suit most domestic driveways. Thicker 60mm or 80mm blocks are used where heavier vehicles are expected.
Will weeds grow through block paving?
Weeds do not grow up through a properly built drive. Seeds can settle in the joints from above. Keeping joints topped up with sand and brushing the drive occasionally keeps them down.
Why has my existing block paving sunk?
Dips and ruts usually mean the sub-base is too thin or was not compacted, or the edges have moved. The blocks can be lifted, the base corrected and the same blocks relaid.
Is permeable block paving worth it?
It removes the need for planning permission and separate drains, and it reduces run-off. It needs a specific open-graded sub-base and suits ground that drains reasonably well.
How long before I can park on a new block drive?
Straight away. Block paving on a sand bed has no curing time once it has been compacted and jointed.
PN Landscapes
Get a block paving quote
We will look at levels, drainage and access and show you block samples before sending a written quote.
Phone: 01825 733317
Email: info@pnlandscapes.co.uk
Address: Flitteridge Farm, Daleham Lane, Splaynes Green, Uckfield TN22 3TQ
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 8am–1pm
Paving and stone: visit PN Paving Supplies, our sister company on the same site.