Guidance for installing hard landscaping in front gardens
lay traditional impermeable driveways
that allow uncontrolled runoff of
rainwater onto the roads because this
can contribute to flooding and pollution
of watercourses.”
Department of Communities and Local Government,
guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens.
Planning permission
NOT required
1. If the area of hard surface is constructed using a permeable
product such as a Grassguard or permeable paving. There is no limit to size in this case.
2. Standard impermeable paving can be used if provision is made for rainwater from traditional impermeable hard
landscaping to drain into a soft landscape such as grass or
border planting with sufficient permeability, or into aspecially constructed soakaway.
3. If the area of hard surface intended is less than 5 square metres.
4. The new legislation only affects front garden areas.
5. Elsewhere around the house there are no restrictions on hard surfaces at or near ground level.
Planning permission
IS required
1. If rainwater from the impermeable hard
surface at ground level has nowhere to run other than into the household drainage system or on to the public highway
(this includes replacing an existing driveway).
2. If the property intended for work is a listed building.
3. Conservation areas, World Heritage sites, National Parks and Areas of outstanding natural beauty may have some restricted permitted development rights forhouseholders. Better to enquire in advance in such circumstances.
Add comment November 23, 2009
My name is Matt Carpenter, and I am the Director and owner of Groundforce Construction - part of MGC (Southern) Limited.