New driveway

Doozergirl

Block paving is cheaper than tarmac now. Tarmac relies on oil, which is expensive.

Someone else has already pointed out that block paving is also recyclable. If you ever dig anything up (pipes, cables), it can be relaid as if nothing happened.

The ground is always shifting and so my choice will always be something that is flexible. Concrete will just break. They put deliberate gaps in concrete for movement and expansion, but they're not enough, in my view. I've seen relatively new imprinted concrete drives cracking. Tarmac will mould, to a degree to some movement.

Don't forget, you should have planning permission if you are increasing hard standing that isn't permeable.

Block paving is a no brainer to me. If budget is an issue, then Bodpave, which is a grid that you fill with gravel to create a stable gravel driveway, rather than one that transfers down the street.

moonpenny

I wouldn't like to have to walk on any sort of gravel so that is out.

I thought about the issue of planning permission. Is all block paving considered permeable or is there a special sort?

My Council is a rip off! If I were to phone up for advice on the above they would insist on sending out a form and then charge something like £30 just to get the info I was asking for.

Mojisola

moonpenny wrote: »

I thought about the issue of planning permission. Is all block paving considered permeable or is there a special sort?

This is a very useful site -
http://www.pavingexpert.com/faq_pavingFrontGardens.htm