How to: pave over your front garden
Car numbers are up and parking spaces are down. For lots of people, it makes sense to turn at least some of the front garden into extra parking space. But the heavy rains we’ve had recently have made it obvious that the job needs to be done correctly (otherwise the run-off can put strain on drainage systems, leading to backlog or flooding). So what do you need to think about when getting your garden paved over for parking space?
Here are our top tips:
Do I need planning consent to pave over my garden?
Extra regulations were introduced in 2008 which mean changing your garden for more parking space is subject to certain controls. Unless your home is listed or in a conservation area, you won’t need planning consent – as long as the parking area is going to be covered in porous material, or the rainwater is going to be redirected to somewhere which drains naturally. More than 5m2 is subject to planning permission.
What are the benefits of gravel or shingle as a driveway?
Gravel or shingle are naturally porous and easy to use for a driveway or parking space. It needs to be laid on a sub-base which has been compacted to take the load. It needs enough granularity to drain well but enough retention to slow the flow of heavy rainfall – otherwise you might as well not have a driveway at all.
Consider your sub-base material wisely. The gravel or shingle should be chosen mainly for its appearance.
Don’t forget to have some sort of hard paving installed where the driveway transitions to the road, and where it meets the house.
Can I use hard paving for a driveway?
Hard paving like concrete, clay blocks or porous asphalt can be used for a drive or parking spaces as long as the surface allows free drainage of storm water. The sub-base needs to incorporate layers, with finer material towards the top – this will slow water transition and also filter contaminants.
Hard finishes either need to be laid with a suitable fall away from the house or with the water drained to a soakaway. Be careful that this doesn’t conflict with your house’s existing soakaways.
Can I use wheelways instead of paving?
Wheelways are an option if you want a simple solution to parking space and don’t need much manouverability. A pair of wheelways can be laid with hardcore and a permeable finish.
There’s plenty more we can tell you about paving your garden to create parking spaces or a driveway. We can help with the design and advise on the best materials. Let us know if you need a hand.
Sam (Berkshire’s Driveway Expert)
How to pave over your front garden is a post from the Berkshire Driveway Expert blog
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