Local Authorities and Plannning Consent

 

From the 1st October 2008 permited development rights that allow householders to pave their front garden for hardstanding have changed. Planning consent 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 watercourses .

 

If a new driveway or parking area is constructed using permeable materials such as permeable blockpaving or gravel and aggregates or if the water is otherwise able to soak into the ground you will not require planning consent .

 

The new rules will also apply where existing hardstanding is being replaced . The new rules apply to all hard surfaces exceeding 5 sq/mts

 

Woodward Developments have recognised early this change and can advice on all the different options available to manage rainwater run off - from simple soakaways to water harvesting systems that allow rainfall to be collected , filtered and stored and reused for such uses as car washing and watering gardens , whilst at the same time achieving the correct look for the property