The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue May 11, 2010 3:55 pm**

Hi, looking for advice,

Question about legislation, I have looked on site guide but couldn't find definitive answer, unless I missed it.

Is there a requirement under the legislation for the size of the soakaway required? I,m looking to extend my existing block paving drive by 15m2 and the local planning dept cannot seem to explain requirements in plain english.

Currently the existing drive simply runs water off onto road. The soil either side is about 9" higher than the drive with an established hedge, so I cannot run water that way, or towards the house.
I was considering the installation of a linear drain where the current block drive meets the pavement and running an outlet each side to a soakaway. I don't have much room and the soil is heavy clay, I would guess I would only manage to excavate a small hole each side to take the excess water. So I was wondering if the legislation sets specific sizes/volumes for soakaways.

Many thanks.

Malaga

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Posted: **Tue May 11, 2010 7:05 pm**

all explained here

http://www.pavingexpert.com/drain08.html

it will depend on the total size of paving the porosity of the soil

i think you underestimate the size of a soak away, its not just a small 4 inch hole etc

Posted: **Tue May 11, 2010 9:06 pm**

generally unless you are on gravel or sand a soakaway will be 1M3
you only need 1 soakaway just have 1 outfall at one end of the linear drain
LLL

Posted: **Wed May 12, 2010 2:44 pm**

Thanks for the replies so far, might be able to get away with a reasonable size soakaway, but not 1m3 due to restrictions on the high borders at edge of drive.
Looked at link to SUDs/Soakaways, seen the calcs on the size's. But is there any specific size/volume required set out in the legislation?

Many Thanks.

Malaga

Posted: **Wed May 12, 2010 7:58 pm**

details here

Posted: **Thu May 13, 2010 1:22 pm**

Thanks for the replies,

But still a problem - cannot install a soakaway of the size demonstrated on SUDS / Soakaway page into the area that is available 3 or 5 metres from building and cannot run a overflow into existing FW drain without major work, digging up existing drains etc which I am trying to avoid.

Just want to extend existing drive which already runs water onto road pre regs, just want to minimum comply with new regs. Is there a definitive size required for a soakaway or will anything do in order to tick the box?

Thanks.

Malaga

Posted: **Thu May 13, 2010 8:09 pm**

the only alternative is to use permeable paving or apply for planning permission

Posted: **Sun May 16, 2010 6:41 pm**

Thanks Ganger,

I take it planning permission is just a formality in most cases, and I guess they will just rubber stamp the drive to discharge onto the highway. There are no flooding problems in the area I reside.
Or is it possible they will refuse, I'd appreciate your view/opinion.

Thanks.

Malaga

Posted: **Sun May 16, 2010 9:38 pm**

imho i would think they would turn you down as there are now many permeable options they wouldn't allow discharge to the highway.

however I have never applied and therefore never been granted or denied.

Posted: **Mon May 17, 2010 12:20 am**

yes there is a definitive size required for a soak a way

you need to contact your local planning department for their opinion on your driveway and I would not take it for granted they would just pass your application

The Brew Cabin

Soakaway size, block paving - Question