Paul McAlenan

The Government is proposing changes to the Planning System so that you will need to apply for planning permission to pave over a front garden, unless the the proposed surface is permeable in which case permission will not be required.

It’s all about SUDS - Sustainable Drainage Systems.

For some background on why this is being proposed click here.

Why not go one step further and install a rainwater harvesting system under your paving!

The amendment is expected to come into force in October 08.

In 2005 my building company built an accommodation unit for English Nature (now Natural England) on Scolt Head Island for the wardens to live in during the summer months.
Scolt Head Island is on the North Norfolk Coast at Brancaster.

Its construction, timber frame, was insulated with a mixture of recycled newspaper (Warmcel) and sheep’s wool (Thermafleece) and was clad with Western Red Cedar boarding sustainably sourced in Wales. With no mains services on the island, photo voltaic panels were mounted on the roof to provide all the electrical requirement for the building. A gravel-clad flat roof collects rainwater for washing needs and a composting toilet was installed. Waste water is sent to a mini reed-bed system.
The building won a 2005 Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Norfolk Award

Location: Scolt Head Island National Nature Reserve (NNR), North Norfolk coast

Client: Natural England (Natural England News Article)

Architect: Paul Lucas of Lucas Hickman Smith

View photos of the Eco Hut at Flickr

Beccles Eco House

In 2004 my building company built a 4-bed eco house for private clients in Beccles, Suffolk. This was a timber frame building insulated throughout with recycled newspaper (Warmcel) and clad with Welsh Western Red Cedar.


External joinery manufactured from Scottish Douglas Fir

Internal joinery was from Scottish Douglas Fir & Larch and English Ash

The glazing achieves a higher U-value than current UK Building Regulations

Rainwater is harvested and used for toilet flushing and clothes washing

Solar panels for heating water

Organic internal paints and natural stains used throughout


Architect: Lucas Hickman Smith

View photos of this house at Flickr

Paving Expert dot Com is a really good resource that I have used in the past especially the content relating to rainwater management.

I’m researching paving for a project and came across this news item at PavingExpert for rainwater harvesting under paving.