New Guidance on Permeable Paving & SuDS

MPA Precast Understanding Permeable Paving

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…

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Sustainable Street Renewal with Permeable Paving

Imminent requirements for mandatory sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) on developments herald a much wider application of concrete block permeable paving. But this approach is also needed to renewal of existing impermeable paving, in order to reverse the sealing-up and flooding of our towns and cities. This issue was highlighted in the November 2022 National Infrastructure…

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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…

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Mandatory SuDS for England

Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) are set to become mandatory on developments in England next year, heralding the wider use of permeable surfaces throughout our towns and cities. ‘The Flood and Water Management Act 2010’ included provisions for effectively mandatory SuDS on developments, approved by local authority ‘SuDS Approving Bodies’ (SABs). But these provisions were not…

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Accelerating Permeable Paving

Addressing climate change continues to grow in urgency, demanding far wider application of permeable surfaces to reverse the sealing-up of our towns and cities. This is now set to accelerate with an important new report, heralding urgent government action and calling for a prompt, coordinated response from local authorities and water companies, as well as…

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Modern Methods of Paving

Modular concrete paving meets today’s Modern Methods of Construction ethos for engineered and prefabricated products, and the increasing use of efficient, fully mechanised site processes enhances the benefits. Concrete block paving – which has been used for decades on projects ranging from the most demanding heavy-duty applications to the purely decorative – is uniquely placed…

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Tony McCormack

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,…

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Permeable Paving and Trees in Synergy

Helping to address climate change, street tree planting and retention of existing trees in developments – with provision for long-term maintenance – are now embedded in planning policy. Concrete block permeable paving offers an important opportunity to help satisfy these requirements simply, integrated with SuDS and contemporary urban design. The 2021 ‘National Planning Policy Framework’…

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Innovative Public Realm Regeneration – Tottenham, London

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…

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Innovative Public Realm Regeneration

White Hart Lane Case Study

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…

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