Tar and Courtyard in Lavenham, Suffolk

Case Study: Tar and Chip Courtyard Renovation in Lavenham, Suffolk

Overview

Lakeside Surfacing was engaged to transform a large, worn-out gravel courtyard at a residential property in Lavenham, Suffolk. The area, previously used for car sales, had become muddy, uneven, and very difficult to maintain. The objective was to create a durable, low-maintenance surface suitable for frequent and commercial vehicle use, while enhancing the property’s appearance and functionality.

Client Objectives

The client, who operates a car sales dealership from the property, had the following goals:

• Replace the deteriorated gravel surface
• Resolve water retention and soft ground issues
• Extend the courtyard near the stables
• Ensure the surface could handle regular vehicle traffic
• Enhance the visual appeal for a professional car display

Key Challenges

Several site-specific difficulties needed to be addressed:

• Gravel contaminated with mud, leaves, and weeds
• Soft spots in the sub-base, especially in areas with removed trees
• Poor drainage causing puddling and long-term water issues
• Client concerns about adding curbing, which was essential
• Challenging ground conditions due to seasonal moisture

Design & Material Considerations

We recommended a tar and chip finish using grey granite chippings due to:

• High durability under frequent vehicle use
• Better resistance to movement compared to loose shingle
• Clean, consistent, and professional appearance

Additional features included:

• Edging curbs to define boundaries and improve containment
• A slight courtyard extension near the stables to increase usable space

Technical Solution

Ground Preparation & Foundation

• Full excavation of contaminated gravel and sub-base to a stable level
• Soft spot remediation involving deeper excavation where needed
• Application of cement dust to stabilise wet clay areas
• Backfill with hardcore and overlay with semi-dry concrete for compaction

Edging curbs were installed to:

• Contain the granite chippings
• Create a clean, durable boundary

The final tar and chip layer used grey granite for a textured, robust finish suitable for commercial use.

Execution & Timeline

The project spanned approximately two weeks and was broken down as follows:

To build trust and clarify the scope, our team conducted trial digs that revealed the poor sub-base conditions, justifying the recommended approach.

Client Feedback

The client was extremely pleased with the result, commenting:

“Before, I could only park one or two cars out here. Now I can fit ten.”

If you’re considering a residential or commercial surfacing project, contact our team today to discuss your vision.