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[jonathanh]

easy answer here -

lay gravel where you need extra parking - no planning or building regs issue

cost will be a couple of hundred for materials tops - just get weed proof membrane and a couple of dumpy bags of gravel - job done

[MR MISTER]

easy answer here -

lay gravel where you need extra parking - no planning or building regs issue

cost will be a couple of hundred for materials tops - just get weed proof membrane and a couple of dumpy bags of gravel - job done

It would end up everywhere. All over the road, on the block paving and on the grass.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Yes, you can either do a proepr job or go the gravel/matting solution.

A proper job will require planning (as its needed for areas over 6m2 from memory and includes refurbishment of existing drives, a LOT of companies are breaking the law with the paving work they do and it can impact the homeowner as a result)

[05omegav6]

Yes, you can either do a proepr job or go the gravel/matting solution.

A proper job will require planning (as its needed for areas over 5m2 from memory and includes refurbishment of existing drives, a LOT of companies are breaking the law with the paving work they do and it can impact the homeowner as a result)

Fixed see link in my last

[Marks DTM Calib]

Ah very good, pretty close though.

The major issue with a gravel or other basic solution is that you dont have a subbase so do expect annual work over a few yars whilst the ground under the area setlles with traffic.

As always, Mr McCormacks Paving Expert is your friend and reference:

http://www.pavingexpert.com/

[05omegav6]

When ours was done, the area was dug down slightly, levelled and compacted. Weed suppressant membrane over the top and then a 75mm layer of gravel dumped on top.

Obviously no use for jacking a car on, but fine for parking. Being a slight slope it needs raking back up the slope periodically, and now after nearly 10 years, the membrane is starting to rot, so needs redoing really

[Nickbat]

I still think Grasscrete/Grassblock is the way to go.

From the linked brochure:

Why Grassblock?
Grassblock permits natural drainage through its network of soil pockets. This enables it to be
used as a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS). A permeable paving system that can
enable exemption from domestic Planning Applications.


http://www.bpindex.co.uk/res/pdfs/b519f49b409003.pdf

Would need to be double checked with your local authority, though, just to be on the safe side. 

[tunnie]

Again thanks everyone. 

In an ideal world I'd go through planning and get it brick paved, just like the current drive.

As always, Mr McCormacks Paving Expert is your friend and reference:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/

Already posted there, great resource from my earlier questions on that drainage tank 

They gave figure of around £2k +vat. (for tarmac) + planning costs for the whole area. Money I don't have at the moment, this move is taking everything I have. 

This grassblock looks interesting, here I can see they have just extended the drive. But in my case I could make two tracks for the tyres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBSXJoMyPpw

[tunnie]

If I dug two "trenches" for this grassblock stuff, prepared the base for it. (sharpe sand or similar?)

Then put these blocks in, then filled with soil/grass seed, would that require planning permission? 

Also remember it is on an un-adpoted road, so I would need to consultant the management company for the close, but does the council need to know? 

I'm not converting the whole area, and drainage is hardly affected.

[Sir Tigger KC]

If I dug two "trenches" for this grassblock stuff, prepared the base for it. (sharpe sand or similar?)

Then put these blocks in, then filled with soil/grass seed, would that require planning permission? 

Also remember it is on an un-adpoted road, so I would need to consultant the management company for the close, but does the council need to know? 

I'm not converting the whole area, and drainage is hardly affected.

That in itself will be an interesting exercise to see how much control they exert over the residents on your close. 

[tunnie]

If I dug two "trenches" for this grassblock stuff, prepared the base for it. (sharpe sand or similar?)

Then put these blocks in, then filled with soil/grass seed, would that require planning permission? 

Also remember it is on an un-adpoted road, so I would need to consultant the management company for the close, but does the council need to know? 

I'm not converting the whole area, and drainage is hardly affected.

That in itself will be an interesting exercise to see how much control they exert over the residents on your close. 

Don't see any issue, current owner has already made changes to the house 

[tunnie]

If I dug two "trenches" for this grassblock stuff, prepared the base for it. (sharpe sand or similar?)

Then put these blocks in, then filled with soil/grass seed, would that require planning permission? 

Also remember it is on an un-adpoted road, so I would need to consultant the management company for the close, but does the council need to know? 

I'm not converting the whole area, and drainage is hardly affected.

Ok so need a more hard core base as seen here, but essentially very do-able DIY. Dig trench, rock base, soil, compact out, lay these things on top.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKcIPrJE6rQ

[Marks DTM Calib]

That would be considered a SUDS compatible solution.

[tunnie]

That would be considered a SUDS compatible solution.

This stuff looks good for that too:

http://www.acomarkant.com/grassgrid.htm

What I like about that, is it can be cut. So going around the inspection hatches for meters would not be a problem. Clearly shows install too, a bedding layer, sand then these units.

Found a price of:

366 x 274 x 100mm GRASS GRID - 10 blocks per sq.m @ £2.86, assume thats £2.86 per block/grid?

Being the stupid techy with lacking real world practical skills  - How much sq.m would I need for two trenches on the earlier photo?  (clearly ball park figures here)

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Again thanks everyone. 

In an ideal world I'd go through planning and get it brick paved, just like the current drive.

As always, Mr McCormacks Paving Expert is your friend and reference:
http://www.pavingexpert.com/

Already posted there, great resource from my earlier questions on that drainage tank 

They gave figure of around £2k +vat. (for tarmac) + planning costs for the whole area. Money I don't have at the moment, this move is taking everything I have. 

This grassblock looks interesting, here I can see they have just extended the drive. But in my case I could make two tracks for the tyres.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBSXJoMyPpw

Shouldn't be a problem to find this type of money.

Less than a week's wages, I would think.