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Hard Landscaping
Paving and permitted development
Following a year of unprecedented rainfall in 2012, action is urgently needed to avoid yet more flooding around the UK. And it is well recognised - including by government - that sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) must play a key role. When it takes effect, the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 will effectively make SuDS mandatory. But the Act’s wide-ranging measures cannot be strictly applied until publication and implementation of the long-awaited National Standards - now estimated to be in April 2014. So, what action has been taken in the meantime?
HOMES AND NON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
Recent planning Permitted Development rule changes aim to apply SuDS techniques to new or replacement paving around existing homes and various non-domestic buildings. Before the changes, paving anywhere in a garden releated to a house or bungalow, or within various non-residential properties (industrial, warehouse, office and shop premises), with any materials was considered to be ‘permitted development’ - effectively, an automatic planning permission without needing a planning application. But not any more.
For domestic properties, the changes take away permitted development rights from new or replacement drives or other paving, unless it is permeable paving or drains water onto a ‘rain garden’ area within the property. In England, these measures took effect in October 2008 and apply to paving over 5m2 and in the front garden only. In 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. Both English and Scottish governments refer to a guide on permeable paving from the Department of Communities and Local Government and this, in turn, refers to the Interpave website and guidance documents for more information.
For industrial, warehouse, office and shop premises, similar changes take away permitted development rights from new or
replacement paving on a property, unless it is permeable paving or drains water onto a permeable area within the curtilage of the property. Otherwise planning permission will be needed. In England, these measures took effect in April 2010 and in Scotland, similar measures are being considered now.
PERMEABLE PAVING SOLUTIONS
To satsify the requirements, there is a growing choice of concrete blocks and paving slabs 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.
The difference with concrete block permeable paving is its enlarged joints, filled with a permeable aggregate specifically chosen for each product - but never sand (used with conventional block paving, which becomes impermeable over time). This ensures that water will continue to pass through the joints over many years. The materials used below the blocks are also specifically selected to accommodate water, unlike conventional drive and road construction. Permeable paving is specifically designed to combine drainage while supporting vehicles, and many pollutants are substantially removed and treated within the paving layers before the water leaves it. It can be laid level and still avoids puddles without the need for drainage gulleys and pipes, providing a safe, firm surface for everyone.
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 which offers the definitive guidance on all aspects available from the Interpave information resource:
www.paving.org.uk
Reader Enquiry: 51
www.paving.org.uk 0116 253 6161
A sustainable approach to drainage as an integral part of hard landscape design is essential to reduce flooding and pollution. Government has recognised this issue with important changes to permitted development rules and other legislation requiring sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), as Chris Hodson RIBA, consultant to the trade body Interpave, explains.
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