OUTDOOR LIVING


By 2055, it is estimated that 50,000-65,000 properties may be put in areas at high risk due to unplanned increases in impermeable surfaces, such as front gardens being paved over


other means, such as planning policies. This is an important step forward, not ust in the fight against ooding but also in enabling the numerous multifunctional benefits of well-designed SuDS to be realised, particularly in response to climate change.


ACTION ON EXISTING PROPERTIES The welcome moe towards wider use of permeable paving will help to reverse the sealing-up of our towns and cities, highlighted in the goernments recent ational nfrastructure Commission C report on reducing ooding from surface water. This recommends urgent action to moe away from impermeable surfaces, both for new developments and on eisting properties. The C recognises that, by , some ,-, properties may be put in areas at high risk due to unplanned increases in impermeable surfaces, such as front gardens being paed oer, which increase the olumes of water entering drainage.


PERMITTED PAVING nstalling dries or other paing anywhere in your garden used to be considered


66 www.sbhonline.co.uk


permitted deelopment  in other words, automatic planning permission. But these rights were remoed some years ago from new or replacement paing unless its permeable paing or drains onto a permeable area within the property. Otherwise, you will need to apply for planning permission, inoling drawings and a fee, and with policies in faour of SuDS, the application should be reected anyway. f you ust go ahead without permission, this could result in local authority enforcement action or legal problems when the house is sold. oweer, enforcement of these rules has been limited and now the NIC is seeking a review of options for resolving this issue and potential policy changes to preent it from adding to the ooding problem. n addition, some water companies already apply area-based charging to commercial properties where impermeable paving drains to sewers and Ofwat is encouraging trials with residential customers as well. We shall soon see a much wider application of permeable surfaces  notably concrete block permeable paing  reersing the sealing-up of urban areas we hae seen.


MAKING THE MOST OF PERMEABLE PAVING There is a wide choice of products aailable from manufacturers specifically for permeable paing, with more shapes, styles, finishes and colours than eer. Some products hae the same performance as conventional concrete blocks and slabs slip resistant, durable, strong and sustainable. The difference with permeable paving is oints filled with stone grit  but neer sand like conentional block paing or mortar. This ensures that water will continue to pass through the oints oer many years. Concrete block permeable paving can be laid leel and still aoids puddles without the need for drainage gulleys and pipes. t proides a safe surface for eeryone, unlike grael and other loose material. t can also proide a gradual supply of clean water for planting  particularly trees. n fact, it works in harmony with trees, allowing air, as well as water to reach tree roots, which grow downwards and dont damage the paing oer time.


Chris Hodson is a consultant to trade body Interpave, part of MPA Precast


jan/feb 2024


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