If your going to go for block paving just use the permeable ones and you can save on the £ for planning permission

As for a dropped curb. Our council wanted £750 to extend ours by 2m. It's bloody expensive for the work unfortunately

You'll have to apply to the council for the dropped kerb, think they have to do the work too and it won't be cheap.

Why would the council lower the curb? You have to pay one of there allowed contractors to do it.

The guy didn't come around to quote. Apparently is going to come one evening this week.

Mrs doesn't want flags down which is understandable as it will look a bit out of place in the area. Therefore it's going to bump up the price and i'm going to have to save up some money. I think we are going to go with some sort of black paving.

In the meantime i'll put in for planning permission and get quotes in.

I don't want stones putting down, will just encourage little kids to pick them up and throw them at the motors. I'll also be brushing them up off the street every couple of days.

If we get planning permission, will the council lower the kerb or is that something else to factor in my own costs?

Unless you use something permiable you will need planning permission for that.

Area





[Edited on 23-03-2014 by Andrew]

Get the local gypsies to tarmac it.

I've done 14 hours at work today so not get any photos. Got tomorrow off so will take a couple of photos.

I've never been a fan of gravel drives although may be the only option at the moment if costs are quite high to get the area flagged.

Could dig it over, flatten it off then a good membrane down, then a few tonnes of gravel over the top mad compact that down too

You won't get the required drainage from between the flags. You will need channels along the edge of the drive and that either going to soak away drianage system.

Digging it out will be hard work. Bear in mind you will need to take off 300mm of dirt to do it properly. That will produce enough dirt to fill a couple if not more skips which will be a good £200+

I've got a guy coming out on Sunday to give us a quote.

I'm hoping to get this done for less than a grand. I can dig up but the actual laying would probably take me a bit to much time with work commitments.

Was speaking with a guy today who recommended putting down some stones and sand down. The stones will act as drainage i assume as well as better for the weight.

Will get some pictures up when it's light outside.

[Edited on 21-03-2014 by Andrew]

If you get the right type of block paving you won't need planning permission.

If you were to flag the whole thing you will need permission and its likely you will get 1 of 2 answers 1) Yes but you have to build in proper drainage or 2) No you need to use a permeable solution such that you don't need permission

Ah, sand, that material highly valued for its load bearing ability.

Do what Dave said. Pavingexpert.com explains it all.

No, you need to lay some stone first, type 1 preferably. Can't remember the recommended depth but I'd guess at least 150-200mm, more if when you dig through the soil you don't hit anything decent.

Flags aren't the best either, normally on areas that are driven on they need to be 70mm thick. Block paving is a better idea IMO.

Was going to flag the whole area. I assume the way to do this is to dig up some of the grass and soil, lay some sand and put the flags on top.

We have two cars in use, plus my Corsa which will be kept on the flagged area as well as one of the other cars being parked on the flags.

Garage at the moment is full of shite i need to sort out.

Whether they sink is entirely dependant on what the paving is laid on (ie. Base and sub-base). The actual surface choice doesn't matter greatly.

Are you planning on putting the flags straight on the grass or digging them in a bit?

I know of someone who is temporarily putting their second car on flags. It didn't take long for them to start sinking; however, they are still fit for purpose.

To the left of the front of our house there is a grassed area big enough for 3 small/medium sized cars. I have been advised i will need planning permission to convert this into an extended driveway.

Will flags be strong enough to be driven on daily :boggle:

In the process of getting quotes but i assume flags will be a cheaper option.