Front Garden - Paving contractors Re: Victorian house

[asimon]

Hi all,

I have a Victorian house in SE25, the I have a dropped curb spanning the length of the house, with a front garden which is just soil/grass with a tarmac hump for 1 car, I would like to get the whole area blocked paved to put the cars on.

I've read some comments that ou may need to get planning permission, unless you use porous materials / block paving you nee to use porous black paving now , there are contractors I' am looking at contacting, but as the saying goes word of mouth is best, can anyone recommend a paving/landscape company in the SE25 / Croydon area

Thanks

Allan

 

[discobarry]

I guess you can get it paved but I'm sure you would rather have a lovely garden. I'm in Yorkshire so i can't recommend anyone for your paving.

 

[MatthewC]

I can't recommend anyone either, but be aware that the rules about drainage are now more onerous and I don't think that porous blocks are adequate as they won't cope with the flow in a heavy rainfall. You must either use porous aggregate or provide a drain to earth for the rainfall. Also, if the building is listed or in a conservation area you need consent as well.

Having said that, there are a lot of people around here who through ignorance or by design just do what they want and never seem to get caught, and a lot of cowboys out there who will tell you that what they propose is legal when it isn't. They just want to do the job, get paid and run, leaving the customer with the legal problem if it ever arises.

 

[asimon]

Thanks MatthewC, for your comments and guidance, would welcome further feedback also be good to get recommendations if I can for paving contractors in and around the Croydon/Surrey/SE25 area of London

 

[Penners]

This should help you to understand what you are/are not permitted to do:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/7728/pavingfrontgardens.pdf