Big Jack

Thanks, Redbeard. Contractor advised against permeable paving due to wanting to keep foundations for drive dry, especially as clay soil. Planning permission supposedly not required (council are involved and due to do site survey). Wondering if it needs connecting to the main drainage system, or at least diverting away from house?

Hello everyone, am turning our small front garden into a driveway. Have had the attached plan drawn up but have a query about the soakaway - surely it is too close to the house? The drive will be just under 4m long (from A to C) and about 5m wide (from A to B). There is a large fir tree in the corner that is staying. Thinking of having country cobble as the surfacing. There is a drop from pavement to house so although drive is being raised closer to level of road via a retaining wall, it will still slope towards house. It will also slope downwards from A to B as the road is quite steep and we're near the top. The back of the house has an additional storey as there is a basement which goes all the way under the house. You can stand up in rear basement part but front part near bay window shown on plan is not fully excavated but still goes right up into the bay (but you can't stand up). What are your thoughts on the location of the soakaway and the idea that it is only about 1m from the house and is just draining into the ground? We feel it will undermine the foundations, especially as there is a basement, and encourage the tree roots to go towards the house for water? Thanks in advance for any responses. Please note, the steps near A will not be as shown - they will be closer to the house yo create a greater drive access area.