Defra releases new rules for paving front gardens

The government yesterday challenged the traditional right of homeowners to be able to cover their front gardens with asphalt.

This came about as a part of the water-saving initiative and a move to reduce flooding. The measure is included in a document published this week by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that puts forward proposals aimed at improving water efficiency and conservation in England.

New legislation will result in only areas that provide better drainage than hard surfaces, areas made of gravel or porous paving and bricks, as areas not requiring planning permission.

This is all part of the government plan to limit water loss and consumption by individuals. Environmental secretary, Hilary Benn, has warned of the problems climate change is causing and the fact that droughts and flooding could become worse and more frequent.

The environment minister, Phil Woolas, when announcing the rules on paving front gardens spoke of the fact that over 10 years Londoners had paved over the equivalent of 22 Hyde Parks, resulting in more water being ‘runoff’ into the sewer system.

Director of policy and strategy at the National Trust discussed the move in a positive light, calling the plan a step in the right direction with needed recognition of the amount of water consumed.