43 reasons not to concrete front gardens

The paving or concreting of front gardens comes up semi-regularly. I just spotted another article mentioning it by my colleague Kevin Harris in which he tells us that almost a third of front gardens in the UK have been turned into hardstanding,

In an earlier blog Kevin referenced the RHS on the subject. They have the following to say:

Gardens can soak up rain, while paving, tarmac and concrete are less porous and increase the amount of rainwater that runs off by as much as 50 percent. This additional water usually flows into street drains, which can’t always cope with the thousands of extra litres in a storm. The excess can then go back up people’s front drives to floods their homes. The water has to go somewhere and, even if you are not flooded, it might be affecting your neighbours downhill.

Where is not possible to keep garden space: keep paving to an absolute minimum and use a permeable paving material.

The benefits of permeable paving include:

• Reduce local flooding
• Prevents problems with subsidence. Paving reduces or stops rainfall getting into the ground. This can cause the soil to shrink, especially if it is predominantly clay, which has consequences for structures built on it. Garden walls, paths and houses may develop severe cracks

Additional benefits of not paving over front gardens or keeping the paving to a minimum:

• Leafy gardens carry premium prices
• Attractive front gardens have benefits for people too. They provide screening and privacy, creating a green oasis for enjoyment
• If vegetation is lost from our streets there is less to regulate urban temperatures. Hard surfaces absorb heat in the day and release it at night, making it hot and difficult to sleep. This is part of the ‘heat island effect’, which can also be responsible for poorer air quality and localised weather conditions, such as thunderstorms
• Tending your garden at the front of the house gives neighbours the opportunity to meet and can help to build community spirit

The RHS in turn referenced the Ealing front gardens project who offer 43 reasons not to pave.