The Welsh government is the latest to introduce new planning rules – taking effect this September - requiring permeable paving solutions for new or replacement drives, as part of the fight against flooding.
Before the changes, paving anywhere in a garden related to a house or bungalow with any materials was considered to be ‘permitted development’ – effectively, an automatic planning permission without needing a planning application.
But not any more. Permitted development rights have been taken away from new or replacement drives or other paving, unless it is permeable paving or drains water onto a permeable area within the property.
These measures took effect in October 2008 in England and apply from 30 September 2013 in Wales - in both cases applying to paving over 5m2 (just for replacement paving in Wales) and in the front garden only. For Scotland, similar measures apply to work initiated after 6th February 2012 and apply to paving of any size between the house and any street - therefore not just front gardens.
In all cases, the rules refer to a guide on permeable paving from the Department of Communities and Local Government and this, in turn, refers to Interpave’s website and its guidance document: ‘Paving for Rain: responsible rainwater management around the home – guidance for householders’. This essential guide explains the rules and how to make the most of concrete block and flag paving around the home to satisfy them. The second part of the guide gives straightforward design and construction guidance for home-owners, designers and contractors using concrete block permeable paving or conventional paving with rain gardens. It is based on design calculations using sound engineering principles, suitable for driveways and car traffic.
But it’s not just domestic drives that are affected. Similar measures apply to industrial, warehouse, office and shop premises. In England, they took effect in April 2010 and in Scotland they are being considered now. More guidance for property professionals is available from ‘Permitted Paving’.
If property owners go ahead without permission, the local authority Planning Enforcement Officer should take action demanding an application or removal of the unlawful paving. Local authorities are now taking this issue seriously. Increasingly, local residents and Parish Councils concerned about flooding are alerting Enforcement Officers about unauthorised, non-permeable paving in their areas. And there are other implications too. When a property is sold, both the vendors’ and buyers’ solicitors will want to make sure that all necessary planning permissions are in place, otherwise this could be a problem for the buyer in future.
To satisfy the requirements, there is a growing choice of concrete block systems available from Interpave manufacturers, designed specifically for permeable paving. Essentially they have the same impressive performance as conventional precast concrete paving products, being slip resistant, durable, strong and sustainable. And today there are more shapes, styles, finishes and colours than ever to give real freedom of choice.
Concrete block permeable paving is a unique SuDS technology which has proven itself over decades of successful use in the UK and around the world. It has been championed by Interpave.