The London Assembly has welcomed last week’s Government announcement of a new water strategy for England.
The strategy sets the goal of reducing water usage from 150 litres per person per day to 120 litres by 2030 and sets out a number of measures designed to reduce overall usage.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced that planning rules are to be changed to that permission is required to pave over front gardens unless porous materials are used.
Other measures include a review into water charging which will explore “the benefits” of introducing mandatory water meters.
Darren Johnson AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee said: “the increase in paved front gardens contributes to London’s flooding problems, has a detrimental impact on the environment and blights the landscape.”
“We are therefore pleased that DEFRA has announced changes to planning laws that reflect the call for legislation, in our report Crazy Paving, to control the number of concrete-covered gardens in the capital.”
