Retaining wall solutions....

[Pupp]

My house is partially cut into rising ground with the consequence I have a pretty significant bank close to a gable wall (up to 7ft height difference running the depth of the house). This is stable and has never given rise to drainage problems but I might want to excavate it to allow for (initially) a vehicle hardstanding and (ultimately, perhaps) a workshop/garage extension to the house (I have PP for this with an additional bedroom/ensuite over).

Trying to keep the initial stage viable, just wondering about proprietary methods to form the necessary retaining structure... the drawings perpared for the planning application evisaged a poured concrete wall and slab with cantilevered steel work but this is quite an engineering operation to achieve and might be difficult without compromising the ground level behind the bank (a neighbour's garden that would be best undisturbed if poss). Any obvious alternatives come to mind?

[sherman]

Ground works can be like pouring money down a hole.

It may help you (or not)to watch this episode of Grand Designs
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/grand-designs...

Edited by sherman on Monday 4th January 21:41