Permeable Paving - Interpave

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…

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…

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…

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…

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’…

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…

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…

Transforming Paving with Concrete Block Permeable Overlays

Low-intervention permeable paving overlays can transform worn-out paving and deliver SuDS, green infrastructure and healthy streets. To understand how, it’s worth reminding ourselves of the unique characteristics and attributes of modular concrete paving generally. Concrete Block Paving This long-established technology is based on high-strength, interlocking units installed with granular material filled joints and laying course.…

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…

Redefining the Post-pandemic Public Realm

The pandemic has heralded a fundamental rethink of our public realm showing that a fresh approach is needed to designing the spaces between buildings with multifunctional and long-life but adaptable solutions, ready to meet climate change requirements. Apart from temporary measures for social distancing, the pandemic has accelerated implementation of issues raised in the past…