Parking car on grass

KerensaDelphi

I've had a few quotes for a driveway and they average in the £6k mark. My space outside is grass and about 85 square. I don't really want to spend that much as I also need to have some work on the interior as my maisonette is v dated. 
I would also like to be able my neighbours the opportunity to park on my land (they're the best neighbours of 10 years). I've only 1 car. Ive seen a lady down the Road that parks on her grass. 
This got me thinking that maybe there's another solution to make it more economical for me. To be honest I'm not looking for fancy at this stage, may do in the future when circumstances change. I also need to factor in a dropped kerb. What can i do? 
Thanks very much and happy new year all. 

pramsay13

Just park on the grass?

Otherwise there are a few temporary options like the hard plastic sheets or more permanent ones like hard standing / gravel that aren't as expensive as a proper driveway.

KerensaDelphi

The 6k quotes were for a concrete base with stones on top, I think that is the most economical way. Are you saying to not use anything at all and just put 3 card out the front. Won't it make it really muddy when it rains? Thanks 

MarvinDay

KerensaDelphi said:

The 6k quotes were for a concrete base with stones on top, I think that is the most economical way. Are you saying to not use anything at all and just put 3 card out the front. Won't it make it really muddy when it rains? Thanks 

There are various different products available that you can put down to help prevent the vehicles from sinking into the ground.
These are a couple of examples:

https://www.ecodeck.biz/ecodrive500-grass-fill/
https://www.ecodeck.biz/ecodeck-earthpress/

FreeBear

KerensaDelphi said: The 6k quotes were for a concrete base with stones on top, I think that is the most economical way.

An impervious concrete base would require planning permission if it covers more than 5m². A permeable surface falls under permitted development, so doesn't need planning consent - There are a number of options for a permeable surface. These range from plastic grids filled with soil to allow grass to grow through (can also be filled with gravel) through to block paving. All require a substantial amount of work to prepare a stable and solid base. Just digging out the top couple of inches of grass/soil and bunging "something" down will not last more than a few months.

Another alternative is to dig out two parallel strips and lay slabs appropriately spaced apart for car wheels - This would be the cheapest option, but the grass area may well still be a mud bath in the winter months (depending on soil condition & usage).

If you want to read up on your options and see what each one requires in terms of work, I can recommend this web site - https://www.pavingexpert.com/

TELLIT01

Something like this might do the job  https://www.ibran.co.uk/products/grass-parking-grids

nofoollikeold

I'd be very careful about letting others park on your land.  You may be great friends with your current neighbours, but:
1. You may fall out.  How would you ask them to stop parking.
2. They may move and you may not like their replacements.
3. If you allow it for more than a few years (I think 12, but could be more or less), that might establish some sort of right for them to park, a right which might continue for new owners.
4. What if you should ever want to build over that piece of land?
5. What would be the impact on your selling price should you wish to sell?

KerensaDelphi

TELLIT01 said:

Something like this might do the job  https://www.ibran.co.uk/products/grass-parking-grids

Brilliant alternative you've suggested to me! 

Right, so how many would 1 car need? I'm trying to work out the difference between just me using my front garden and how much more it would cost if I wanted to include my neighbours.  We've all got Ford fiesta type cars. 

Many thanks

KerensaDelphi

nofoollikeold said:

I'd be very careful about letting others park on your land.  You may be great friends with your current neighbours, but:
1. You may fall out.  How would you ask them to stop parking.
2. They may move and you may not like their replacements.
3. If you allow it for more than a few years (I think 12, but could be more or less), that might establish some sort of right for them to park, a right which might continue for new owners.
4. What if you should ever want to build over that piece of land?
5. What would be the impact on your selling price should you wish to sell?

Thanks for advice. My neighbour suggested a contract. And she even said about paying me something, but I said no but if that would help the contract then I would, if that makes sense. They would just be borrowing the space. If I wanted to build they would have to use the road again. If they moved the new neighbours would have to use the road too. Its more of a good neighbourly gesture. We are most respectful of each other. They have helped me no end to maintain my garden, they're good souls. Decent human beings. 
You have made me think though ... would some type of contract work? 
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my post

TELLIT01

KerensaDelphi said:

TELLIT01 said:

Something like this might do the job  https://www.ibran.co.uk/products/grass-parking-grids

Brilliant alternative you've suggested to me! 

Right, so how many would 1 car need? I'm trying to work out the difference between just me using my front garden and how much more it would cost if I wanted to include my neighbours.  We've all got Ford fiesta type cars. 

Many thanks

Sorry, I can't help on the quantity required.  That was simply the first link I came to for the type of product.  I'm sure the vendor would be able to advise.

Soot2006

Cheapest is to just have those grids as tracks where you actually drive (and maybe where you get out!)