Driveway sub-base

HopAlong

Hi guys,

I'm looking at turning my front lawn into a gravel drive. The previous owner had a drop-kerb installed so that's not a problem however I'm a bit unsure about what materials I should be using.

I was going to follow the instructions pavingexpert which say to dig to a depth of 135mm and put MOT Type 1 sub-base down to a compacted depth of 100mm then 35-40mm of my chosen gravel, which seems pretty straight forward so I phoned my local council to find out if I would have to apply for planning permission but they won't tell me that until I send them a cheque for £25!

I had a good look on their website instead and discovered it's okay as it's gravel and not paving however there was a link to an Environment Agency document (I'm not allowed to post links as I'm a new member) that said that MOT Type 1 is no good as once compacted it's not permeable enough to let much water through and to use Type 3 to a depth of 200mm. Problem is I can't actually find Type 3 for sale, in fact there's very little mention of it on the internet - does it go by a different name?

I was just wondering if it's something I should be concerned about or not? The soil in my area is quite heavy clay and the lawn slopes slightly down toward the house, I don't want to risk damaging or flooding anything! Will I be okay with Type 1?

Thanks in advance,
HopAlong

daveyjp

It's also known as porous sub base

Tucker

It's got to be more pourus than having the whole thing done in tarmac or pattern concrete!

I used type 1 under my flagged patio. I never holds any water but then I have it all sloping slightly to drains. You'll need a darn good downpour to flood 40mm of gravel mind!

System

[Hi HopAlong'
Did you ever find the Type 3 MOT? I'm struggling too.

We don't have a drainage system therefore we are using the Grids method where the small grids interlock into each other to hold gravel, topsoil or grass seed in place (not sure if I can mention the name). They require 150mm depth subbase of Type 3 MOT therefore allowing self drainage back to the water table without putting strain on the sewers etc. Type 1 is no use as its not self draining accordin to Highways regs. However we can't get it anywhere. Quarries do sell it but only of a minimum load of 10 tonne.- we need 3.6 tonne.

What did you use in the end

Thanks in advance
Newlook?QUOTE=HopAlong;discussion/3911193]Hi guys,

I'm looking at turning my front lawn into a gravel drive. The previous owner had a drop-kerb installed so that's not a problem however I'm a bit unsure about what materials I should be using.

I was going to follow the instructions pavingexpert which say to dig to a depth of 135mm and put MOT Type 1 sub-base down to a compacted depth of 100mm then 35-40mm of my chosen gravel, which seems pretty straight forward so I phoned my local council to find out if I would have to apply for planning permission but they won't tell me that until I send them a cheque for £25!

I had a good look on their website instead and discovered it's okay as it's gravel and not paving however there was a link to an Environment Agency document (I'm not allowed to post links as I'm a new member) that said that MOT Type 1 is no good as once compacted it's not permeable enough to let much water through and to use Type 3 to a depth of 200mm. Problem is I can't actually find Type 3 for sale, in fact there's very little mention of it on the internet - does it go by a different name?

I was just wondering if it's something I should be concerned about or not? The soil in my area is quite heavy clay and the lawn slopes slightly down toward the house, I don't want to risk damaging or flooding anything! Will I be okay with Type 1?

Thanks in advance,
HopAlong[/QUOTE]

stef73

Have you tried buildbase Bulk Bag 40mm Down Crusher Run Limestone

Code: 2008320

Hintza

I use crushed building rubble which compacts very well and will be very porous. Around here it is about £6.50 -£7.50 per tonne, so a lot cheaper

anotherbaldrick

I don't know why you can't find the said gravel ! just google MOT type 3 sub base.
http://www.mainlandaggregates.co.uk/products/MOT-Type-3-Sub-Base-Suppl.asp

This will be much better for you as you are on clay, the type 3 is a gravel without fines and therefore has voidage which will act as a reservoir below the gravel for water giving it time to soak away

HopAlong

Hey Newlook,

I never found any in the end and just used type 1. It's been down over 6 months now and has survived some terrible weather (lots of local flooding) without so much as a puddle, although this will probably have been helped with it ever so slightly sloping down to a large patch of soil also covered by gravel.

@anotherbaldrick - I also saw that when I was looking originally however they'll only do 10+ tonnes and both me and Newlook needed much less than that!

Good luck in your search.

Cheers,
HopAlong