News

Definitive New Guidance on Permeable Paving for SuDS

In a move to tackle water pollution, protect communities from flooding and enhance placemaking, the government is putting in place measures for sustainable drainage (SuDS) on developments. For this to be successful, the move towards mainstream use of concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) as a key multifunctional SuDS source control technique is essential. With this…

New Guidance on Permeable Paving & SuDS

The latest Edition 7 of Understanding Permeable Paving has now been published by MPA Precast (Interpave). The need to respond to climate change continues to grow in urgency, demanding far wider application of permeable surfaces reversing the sealing-up of urban areas and moving towards a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) approach, set to become mandatory for…

Defra Report Highlights Exemplary Project

One of the first housing projects in England with integrated SuDS and incorporating concrete block permeable paving, Lamb Drove Cambridgeshire (also known as The Flows), is highlighted in Defra’s latest report recommending mandatory SuDS. An Interpave case study on this innovative scheme is also available. Defra’s review in January this year identified that SuDS delivery…

Tony McCormack

It is with real sadness that we hear of the passing of Tony McCormack this week following a short illness. Tony was known to many through his website, pavingexpert.com, and was widely regarded as exactly that: an irreplaceable source of guidance, reference, expertise and information to the paving and landscaping industries. Tony worked with manufacturers,…

Innovative Public Realm Regeneration

An important new case study explores urban realm regeneration projects in Tottenham, London. It exemplifies the growing potential of concrete block permeable paving in the hands of innovative designers to deliver SuDS and optimise synergy with street trees to address climate change. At White Hart Lane, a pilot designed using ‘Healthy Streets’ principles, extensive concrete…

Planning Requirements for Trees

Extensive new tree planting with provision for long-term maintenance is now a requirement for developments, with new government policies taking effect. Concrete block permeable paving offers an important opportunity to help satisfy these requirements with minimal maintenance requirements over the long-term. The 2021 ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ (NPPF) states: ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure…

Permeable Paving and Street Trees in Harmony

A new case study highlights the impact of concrete block permeable paving as an irrigation source, sustaining street trees and green infrastructure. The award-winning Bridget Joyce Square in Australia Road, White City, London, is a sustainable drainage (SuDS) park with community at its heart and an exemplar for future urban landscapes. The scheme won ‘Winner…

BS 7533-101:2021 – Designing modular paving to last

Interpave encourages all those involved with modular pavement design, construction and maintenance to join a BSI hosted webinar on 20th October, from 10.00 to 12.30, for updates on important changes to the BS 7533 series of standards, as well as paving design and materials. For ease of use, the stone, concrete and other specialist paving…

Case Study Published

Interpave’s latest case study re-visits the Martlesham Park & Ride project in Suffolk. Following 17-years of continuous use, it assesses the long-term performance of concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) and also its important benefits for urban trees. Completed in 2003, the project utilised 14,000 m2 of CBPP for circulation, parking and pedestrian areas. It was one of…

Permeable Paving for Trees

A video interview with the original designer of Martlesham Park and Ride, Suffolk – one of the projects involved in the recent trials discussed in our Latest Post – reveals major benefits of concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) for trees and other green infrastructure. Constructed in 2003, this large out-of-town car park receives regular daily…