Permeable Paving In Driveways

Concrete block permeable paving received a major boost with the launch of the government’s water strategy for England in February. It offers a great opportunity for installers to get involved with this expanding market and Interlay is already geared up to help its members in a variety of ways.

Launched by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn on 7 February, the new water strategy ‘Future Water’ includes several proposals that have a major impact on concrete block permeable paving. The most significant change for domestic paving is new legislation due late 2008 requiring planning permission for paving of front gardens of existing – as well as new – homes, unless permeable systems are used. And it can be expected that in many cases permission will not be granted if permeable paving is a viable alternative. So, installers will start to see a rapid increase in demand for concrete block permeable paving in both domestic and commercial sectors, and need to keep up to speed with the construction techniques.

To help with this, training on the theory and construction of Concrete Block Permeable Pavements (CBPPs) is now available via Interlay. As members of Interlay you automatically have access to the Hard Landscape Training Group (HLTG), an initiative set up by Interlay, Interpave and BALI to develop the skill base in our industry. The HLTG offers a wide range of training courses to installers on a variety of topics, including two pilot courses on the construction of CBPPs.

The new water strategy also affects new housing and commercial projects, as there has been some confusion over responsibilities of the adoption of CBPP by local Authorities limiting the growth of CBPP in housing developments, an issue which the government is now determined to address with a consultation process. As a result, surface water management plans will be required to co-ordinate activity, clarifying responsibilities for SUDS and their adoption by local authorities.

The new water strategy also calls into question the automatic ability to connect new development surface water drainage to the public sewer, strengthening pressure for on-site solutions such as concrete block permeable paving.

Finally, members of Interlay can benefit from its close relationship with Interpave, which continues to be actively involved with government and other important agencies, with the latest developments and up-to-date information via Interlay’s Newsletters and website, as well as the Interpave knowledge resource at www.paving.org.uk