Planning permission for block paving

[baldersj]

Hi all,

We want to block pave over our front garden, and I'm a bit unsure whether we need to involve the LABC. Am i right in thinking that a gravel bed/narrow flowerbed along the lower edge of the drive will be enough to drain rainwater, or is even this uneccessary?
Does standard block paving laid on a sand/hardcore base constitute a permeable surface? Am I just looking too deep into this???

 

[mikric]

I would recommend you contact your local planning dept at your council and get it from the horses mouth so to speak, I believe a new area of more than 5m2 requires planning permission.

 

[jeds]

This all turns on whether the paving is permeable. In an appeal decision I read the other day the inspector said that the blocks were but that an aggregate supplier had confirmed that compacted type one sub-base was not. He tested the paving on site with a hose pipe and noted that water did not immediately drain away. So the appeal was dismissed.

Of course that only applies to areas of more than 5m².

 

[noseall]

I don't believe that any paving can remain permeable for a prolonged period of time as nature will clog it up.

The only thing that will stay permeable is frequently raked/disturbed deep gravel or an area with 'growing matter', i.e grass etc.

 

[Thermo]

most councils will not count block paving as permeable unless it is one of the specifically designed types with the permeable sub-base system. All they are worried about is that the water does not drain onto the highway. They dont seem to give a stuff if you end up with a swimming pool in the front garden!

Im still surprised at the number of installations i see done without any drainage

 

[DevilDamo]

In an appeal decision I read the other day the inspector said that the blocks were but that an aggregate supplier had confirmed that compacted type one sub-base was not. He tested the paving on site with a hose pipe and noted that water did not immediately drain away. So the appeal was dismissed.

I read that too. Was that in the Building magazine?

 

[noseall]

Ive seen many mot sub bases fail to drain water. Once compact and 'weathered' for a while, an mot base will form puddles in the depressions.

As Thermo has stated the only way to drain successfully is with a lot of hard work and proper drainage.

 

[Thermo]

yes but customers dont want to pay for that do they!