Preparing a small patch of groud for gravel

Hello

I've got a area which is covered in gravel, it was done by a professional and it's fine.

There used to be a tree in the middle which died, was felled and the roots ground down, leaving an exposed area of about a square yard.

Naively I just put a bit of gravel over the exposed area where the tree was, and of course, soil is starting to come through and it's sinking.

Can anyone can advise me how best to prepare the ground of this little patch?

 

The remaining parts of the roots in the ground are rotting down and the soil is settling. I'd rake off the gravel, top up the soil (don't use compost as that will rot down too) then replace the gravel. You could put a piece of membrane over the soil before replacing the gravel.