News: SUDS (sustainable urban drainage systems)
From 1st October 2008 a new release of Government Legislation has applied to all house holders who wish to pave over their front garden. Planning permission is now required to lay traditional impermeable driveways that allow uncontrolled runoff of rainwater from front gardens onto roads, because this can contribute to flooding and pollution of water courses.

If a new driveway or parking area is constructed using permeable surfaces, such as permeable concrete block paving, or if the water is otherwise able to soak into the ground you will not require planning permission. The new rules will also apply where existing hard standings are being replaced. The rules apply to hard surfaces exceeding 5sqm in area.