What is depaving?
Depaving involves removing sections of hard paving, such as concrete and tarmac, and replacing it with a permeable surface such as gravel or soil.
Why depave?
Depaving is an easy and effective way to increase the permeability of an area and reduce surface water flooding.
It can improve the appearance of your garden and is also much better for the environment. The rainwater soaks back into the ground naturally, rather than running off straight into drains and sewers as it does with hard paving. It slows the pathway of the water, reducing the risk of sewers becoming overwhelmed after extreme rain events.
Guidance on paving your front garden
Due to the number of front gardens lost to concrete, in 2008 the government changed planning laws to encourage the use of permeable materials. If you plan to pave more than five square metres of your front garden using non-permeable materials, you will need planning permission.
Also see the guide to permeable surfaces of front drives on GOV.UK.
Find out more about depaving
If you have a driveway, paved garden, or area in your local community that you would like to depave, then please speak to us. We are happy to visit you to discuss your ideas and help you to plan your depaving project. All waste will be recycled locally and we can provide the tools and compost you need to carry out the work.
You can contact us by email on sustainability@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 8990.
Examples of depaving
For examples of local projects, download our depaving factsheet (PDF 574KB)
To request a hardcopy, email sustainability@lambeth.gov.uk or call 020 7926 8990.