Garden to Driveway conversion

Hi,

We have a drive-way which is only large enough for 1 car. I'd like to dig up some of the front garden and cover the now enlarged drive-way with chippings/gravel. Can anyone advise on what needs to go down underneatch the gravel to prevent weads etc growing and also to be able to support the weight of the car. I am thinking cement, but as someone who couldn't hang a door I'd love some direction.

Thanks!

F

As a stop gap three years ago, a friend put 15 railway sleepers on top of builders polythene. And the last two at the enrance side were splayed to give a ramp. She was waiting to make up her mind on what to do eventually. They are still down, look fine, it's practical and all for less than e300

Dig out the topsoil down to firm bearing, put down a layer of geo-textile, bring back up to the desired level with well-compacted clause 804 and top off with the gravel.

Do you need planning permission to do this now? Wasn't there some suggestion that converting gardens was to be banned or restricted because of flooding problems (no gardens for the water to run into)? Or was this another "green" scheme....?!

baldyman27 said:

Dig out the topsoil down to firm bearing, put down a layer of geo-textile, bring back up to the desired level with well-compacted clause 804 and top off with the gravel.

Click to expand...

Tx. Doesn't sound too bad. The only thing is the existing driveway in tarmac - will clause 804 go on top of this and stick or does the tarmac need to come up?

AFAIK there are no planning issues as we are enlarging an existing driveway and also not changing the gradient, but thanks for pointing it out.

F

gipimann said:

Do you need planning permission to do this now? Wasn't there some suggestion that converting gardens was to be banned or restricted because of flooding problems (no gardens for the water to run into)? Or was this another "green" scheme....?!

Click to expand...

I think thats for concrete/tarmac only. Using Geo/804 & Gravel the water will still drain and not run off.