The Pitt Review 2008
Following widespread and serious flooding across many parts of the country in 2007, the government commissioned an independent review to be undertaken by Lord Pitt.
As a direct result of this, new guidance was introduced for the surfacing of front gardens in October 2008. This had two very important implications:
• Planning permission to pave a new or existing driveway of any size would not be required if a permeable (or porous) surface is used, or if the rainwater is directed to
a lawn or border to drain naturally
• Planning permission will be required to pave an area greater than 5m2 with an impermeable surface if it does not provide run-off to a permeable area