New planning rules coming in effect today mean that anyone who wants to put in a new driveway or parking area over five square metres will not require planning permission, so long as they use surfaces that allow the water to soak through the ground.
Two thirds of the homes affected by the floods last year (about 55, 000) were due to surface water run-off causing £3bn of damage. Surface water flooding can be easily avoided by using permeable surfaces such as concrete block paving with gaps, porous asphalt or gravel, wheel track only paving or through installation of 'soak-away' systems. By using only permeable surfacing homeowners can reduce the negative impact of surface water drainage on their properties making flooding significantly less likely.
Introducing the new legislation, Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint said "Many homes also need better protection against flooding which is why the changes promote permeable surfaces for driveways that allow surface water drainage - a major factor in recent floods." A guide to help explain the types of acceptable permeable surfaces for front gardens is available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/pavingfrontgardens
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.