{"id":17961,"date":"2022-09-29T12:22:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T11:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/?p=17961"},"modified":"2025-08-18T11:47:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T10:47:42","slug":"permeable-paving-why-its-the-solution-to-a-paved-driveway-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tobermore.co.uk\/professional\/blog\/permeable-paving-why-its-the-solution-to-a-paved-driveway-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"Permeable Paving: Why It\u2019s the Solution to a Paved Driveway Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have seen stories in the news recently about a potential paved driveway ban being introduced across the UK.<\/span><\/p>\n

It might seem like an alarming development for housebuilders. But there\u2019s nothing to worry about. In this blog post, our technical team \u2013 which deals with complex SuDS projects involving various paving products \u2013 explains everything you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is a paved driveway ban being proposed?<\/b><\/h2>\n

<\/b>Traditionally, plenty of soakaway space was provided in front gardens \u2013 such as lawned areas \u2013 allowing rainwater to soak naturally into the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

As vehicle ownership increased in recent decades, demand has grown for fully paved driveways to maximise parking space. Commonly, this has been provided using impermeable surfaces \u2013 such as tarmac or concrete block paving.<\/span><\/p>\n

The trouble is this seals the ground, stopping rainwater from draining into the earth below. Instead, the water must flow over the surface and find another way into the ground \u2013 often via local authority-owned roads and drainage systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

This can lead to flooding issues above ground and can overwhelm drainage systems below ground, causing a higher risk of flooding and damage to property.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s the solution to a ban on paved driveways for housebuilders?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Using a sustainable solution such as <\/span>permeable paving<\/span><\/a> is a great way to overcome this issue. It allows housebuilders to continue building parking areas on their developments while preventing flood issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is permeable paving?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Firstly, permeable paving has no real aesthetic difference to <\/span>regular block paving<\/span><\/a>. It simply allows water to flow down in between the blocks and infiltrate the ground below. The blocks are manufactured with larger spacer nibs than on traditional block paving. This creates a gap between each block through which water can drain. It avoids the need for any soft landscaping, drainage channels or soakaways.<\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more about Tobermore\u2019s Hydropave permeable paving products<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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How do you lay permeable paving?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A key factor in permeable paving\u2019s success at mitigating flooding lies in the sub base. The aggregates used beneath the paving must also be permeable, and allow the water to drain through to the ground below.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is possible because of large, angular stones which interlock to create a very strong base. A laying course of angular grit is then laid on top to create a level bed. The paving can then be laid directly onto this bed \u2013 no sand is required.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now here\u2019s the clever bit. The stones have voids between them which provide storage for rainwater. During heavy rain, the water is collected in the voids until it can soak away naturally into the ground.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why should housebuilders specify Tobermore Hydropave?<\/b><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve covered the obvious, environmental benefits of permeable paving. But why should housebuilders specify Tobermore\u2019s own Hydropave product?<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are several further benefits housebuilders should consider:<\/span><\/p>\n