A Sustainable Alternative to Tarmac or PavingThe Castle an Dinas quarry near Penzance in west Cornwall produces a 6mm crushed down brown, (it is actually pinkish - sandy colour), which has been used to great effect in places such as Potager Gardens, near Constantine and Heligan. We have been using and recommending the material for surfacing amenity areas, driveways and parking for over two years now, with very high customer satisfaction.This particular seam of granite has characteristics which enable to bond, without additives, when laid. I won't go into the science too much, but basically it is a very brittle granite and the resulting 6mm down is dusty, after it has been wet and allowed to dry it has an almost adhesive quality creating a surprisingly solid surface. It has been tested on number of differing sites now, even on a slope, used by 12 tonne lorries, without shifting.The French have been utilising crushed limestone for surfacing since the 19th century. It's continued use has been determined by way of several academic papers into the material, proving it's effectiveness as a solid permeable surfacing, strong enough to cope with over 10 tonnes and yet able to not only reduce run off dramatically, but also help to store water in a lower level to allow the growth of some of the healthiest urban trees in Europe.The best method of laying the material is by wheelbarrow and rake. The material is pread to a minimum depth of 100mm on top of 200mm of hardcore, or it is sometimes cheaper to lay at a 300mm depth. The material is then soaked. As it dries it hardens considerably and can withstand significant downpours. At less than £30 per tonne it is both a cheap and useful alternative product. The product gets increasingly firmer after laying and despite the lack of 'terram' or similar, (which will inhibit it's effectiveness anyway), weeds are not a significant problem. Although it would be unwise to call the product maintenance free.On slopes or areas with poor drainage, we have installed loose stone drainage channels under the surfacing, with concrete 'bunds' to divert water flow on sloping areas or areas with hard underlay.Michael Mudge Ltd., have always been able to supply us throughout the westcountry - 01209 831584The material is favoured by a particular type of client and in Cornwall is selected by those who favour Mediterranean gardens or indeed the French style. However the cost, (at least 50% less than non permeable alternatives as well as some of the more specialist permeable surfacing materials), together with SUDS regulations is allowing more and more customers to view this material.It would be great to know if any other quarries in the UK have a similar product suitable for surfacing purposes.

Finished result, North Cornwall. Total price per m2 = £26Cornish Stone Wallswww.paysagedurable.com
Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Peter sellers replied to David Benson's discussion liquid moss killer
"Pro kleen liquid iron sulphate direct from Pro kleen around £21 for 2x5lts delivered. We put 2.5lts in a 12lt knapsack, thoroughly wet area, avoid hot windy days.
Have used it for years highly recommend."
22 hours ago
Martin Ashdown posted a discussion
We chat over knowing your numbers, eating frogs and RASI forms. Please like and share to help us grow this channel.https://open.spotify.com/episode/0PwhpTOoJrhqiyRRK32qM7?si=252f7534...
22 hours ago
Dave Colton replied to David Benson's discussion liquid moss killer
"I haven't use liquid iron but do use soluble iron sulphate, takes a wee bit more mixing as it's a powder but I find it goes further and is cheaper than the liquid, I get mine from agrigem."
yesterday
David Benson posted a discussion
i have to treat some small areas of lawn with a lot of paving round them and one area there is a swiming pool. my usual way is lawn sand and a broardcast spredder but this is not ideal for this job, what liquid killer do you recomend for a knapsack…
yesterday
James Brett liked Martin Ashdown's discussion Two Ordinary Blokes in Business Podcast
Sunday
James Brett updated their profile
Sunday
Bryn Edmondson updated their profile
Sunday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Dougie's discussion Looking for a new roller machine
"Horrible in the wet just shows we are all different. I wouldn't even consider hayter for the terrible collection reason"
Sunday
Groundleader replied to Peter sellers's discussion Retirement advice
"This is definitely NOT my field of expertise, but I'd guess what most buyers might be interested in, could include:
1)  What's the realistic market value of your "hard" assets (vehicles, machinery, tools, materials etc).
2)  For the "goodwill" part…"
Saturday
Greenlawns replied to Dougie's discussion Looking for a new roller machine
"I've used Hayter harrier 56 pro mowers for 30 years . They're the best for maintenance,  admittedly not great in the wet , but I wouldn't change . "
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Dougie's discussion Looking for a new roller machine
"Interesting with the weibang I've had 1 for 5yrs bought new and it's been fine nothing to report as of yet which compared to the honda new needing a new back end after 18 months."
Saturday
Sam Bainbridge replied to Dougie's discussion Looking for a new roller machine
"Buy an old Honda roller mower, the new ones break in 18 months and cost you £500 that is then repeated every 12 months.
Either a honda or others the same which actually came out of the same factory with different names, sharp, lawnflite, kaaz, all…"
Saturday
Max alam posted a discussion
Im looking for my first 100 founding members to join and use canopy and i have approx 65 spaces left.. if your in the UK running a garden maintenance / landscaping company and could be intrested , feel free to enter the waiting list.Thecanopyapp.com
Thursday
Tim Bucknall replied to Daniel Gillings @ DC inc's discussion Rumble strips in lawn!
"Can you change the direction of mowing? Always using a roller mower in the same pattern can cause this.
 "
Thursday
Max alam posted a discussion
does anyone find themselves spending money on an invoicing and qouting app? do some of you use tradify to manage bookings and schedule?whats the best way to manage workflow when you get busy in the season ?
Apr 27
Paul Errington replied to Daniel Gillings @ DC inc's discussion Rumble strips in lawn!
"Try using a Turf Teq Power Rake to smooth it out. It will mill off the high spots and work the spoil into the low bits."
Apr 27
More…

how good does this look?

Im looking for my first 100 founding members to join and use canopy and i have approx 65 spaces left.. if your in the UK running a garden maintenance / landscaping company and could be intrested , feel free to enter the waiting list.Thecanopyapp.com

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 38

Invoicing / Quoting

does anyone find themselves spending money on an invoicing and qouting app? do some of you use tradify to manage bookings and schedule?whats the best way to manage workflow when you get busy in the season ?

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 49